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Prank Voicemail Mimics Pizza Amid Animal Testing Protests

3/21/2026

37 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A staff member at the Department of Health and Human Services altered the agency's voicemail to mimic a pizza chain amid protests over NIH-funded animal testing.
The White Coat Waste Project (WCWP) urged supporters to press HHS for cuts to cat-testing funding.
HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon called the act unauthorized and said the voicemail issue was resolved.
Senator Joni Ernst called the prank not okay.

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Story summary

A staff member at the Department of Health and Human Services altered the agency's voicemail to mimic a pizza chain amid protests over NIH-funded animal testing.
The White Coat Waste Project (WCWP) urged supporters to press HHS for cuts to cat-testing funding.
HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon called the act unauthorized and said the voicemail issue was resolved.
Senator Joni Ernst called the prank not okay.