Press Release
Baldwin calls decision “reckless” and “dangerous”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, slammed the Trump Administration for abruptly canceling what appears to be $2 billion in funding for thousands of programs nationwide that are helping Americans get mental health support and combat the opioid and fentanyl crisis. Today, it was reported that the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under President Donald Trump sent as many as 2,800 grant cancellation notices for programs that support communities confronting the mental health and addiction epidemics.
“As American communities work tirelessly to turn the tide on the opioid and addiction epidemic, President Trump is turning his back on struggling families and cutting off support for folks who need it most,” said Senator Baldwin. “President Trump and RFK Jr.’s decision to cut off these programs cold turkey is not just reckless, it’s outright dangerous for Americans who are dealing with some serious issues. Kneecapping and defunding the fight against the opioid and mental health epidemics will not ‘Make America Healthy Again,’ it will put American lives on the line. President Trump and RFK, Jr. need to reverse this decision immediately before more American families suffer at the hands of addiction and fentanyl.”
Late Tuesday, SAMHSA sent hundreds of termination letters, immediately cancelling federal grants across nearly all of SAMHSA’s programs that support mental health and substance use treatment and prevention, reportedly totaling nearly $2 billion.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Opioid Crisis
- Baldwin Demands Trump Admin Reverse Billions in Cuts From Opioid and Mental Health Programs – U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin – Jan 14th, 2026
- Fox Valley Nurse Practitioner Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawful Prescribing – U.S. Department of Justice – Dec 29th, 2025
- County Executive David Crowley Hosts Roundtable on Combating Opioid Crisis and Saving Lives in Wisconsin – David Crowley – Dec 16th, 2025
- Co-Chairs Criticize DHS For Lack of Plan, Transparency with Opioid Settlement Funds – Joint Committee on Finance – Oct 21st, 2025
- Opioid Treatment Program Opens First Clinic in Milwaukee – Isiah Holmes – Oct 20th, 2025
- County Executive Crowley, Chairwoman Nicholson Sign Legislation Approving $9 Million for Efforts to Compat the Opioid Crisis – David Crowley – Aug 15th, 2025
- How Are State’s Local Governments Spending Opioid Settlement Payouts? – Addie Costello – Aug 4th, 2025
- MKE County: How County Will Spend $9 Million in Drug Settlement Funds – Graham Kilmer – Jul 29th, 2025
- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Announces Over $9 Million for Initiatives to Combat Opioid Epidemic – David Crowley – Jul 17th, 2025
- AG Kaul, 45 Other Attorneys General Plan to Join $720 Million Settlement with Eight Opioid Drug Makers – Wisconsin Department of Justice – Jul 14th, 2025
Read more about Opioid Crisis here
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