Research on gun violence prevention, funded by $125 million from the federal government since 2020, could end if the Trump administration and Republicans cut Medicaid funding in upcoming budget negotiations, according to U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).
On Thursday, she spoke at a roundtable with state gun violence prevention and public health professionals at the Yale School of Public Health.
There needs to be a public outcry to prevent the Trump administration from defunding state and local gun violence prevention programs, the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee told the group.
She urged them to speak out – the same way public outcry compelled the Trump administration to rescind its freeze on federal spending this week.
“I work in an institution that responds to external pressure. You see how, in 48 hours, they turned something around. They felt the heat,” DeLauro said.
She also urged them to publicize their work so the public can better understand how gun violence research and prevention programs have helped reduce gun violence.
“We have to make the case overall about how this affects every community and every family. If you want to be safe in your community and with your kids, think about what needs to get done to prevent catastrophe,” DeLauro said.
The roundtable included criminologists, public health experts, community leaders and a state legislator.
