Pallone Blasts Trump Budget for Gutting Emergency Response Funds Ahead of World Cup, Nation’s 250th Anniversary

Washington, DC - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today slammed the Trump Administration's new budget proposal for eliminating the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) - a federal initiative that directly supports New Jersey's Emergency Medical Services Task Force and ensures the state can respond to mass casualty events.

"Eliminating this program is reckless," Pallone said. "The Hospital Preparedness Program is the backbone of New Jersey's ability to respond to disasters. Without it, we're flying blind as we prepare for millions of visitors to descend on our region for the World Cup and America's 250th anniversary. Republicans in Congress should be fighting to protect their communities, not helping Trump gut the systems that keep people alive."

Next year, MetLife Stadium will host multiple FIFA World Cup matches and communities across New Jersey are expected to host large public events to mark the nation's 250th anniversary. Pallone said pulling the plug on the HPP now puts first responders and residents at serious risk.

The Hospital Preparedness Program, currently administered through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), provides approximately $240 million annually to help states prepare hospitals and EMS systems for large-scale emergencies. In New Jersey, those funds support the NJ EMS Task Force, a nationally recognized team that has coordinated public safety for major events, natural disasters, and mutual aid deployments.

Pallone, top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is leading efforts in Congress to block the cut and fully restore HPP funding.