Durbin, Duckworth Statement On Trump Administration Terminating Federal Funding For Health Grants In Illinois

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) terminating more than half a billion dollars in funding for four Democratic-led states, including Illinois, which is used to prevent deadly disease outbreaks and to keep Americans safe and healthy.

At least $170 million of this funding may be part of the Administration's cuts for Illinois projects, including funding for the prevention of HIV and other viral diseases; funding to train pediatricians to address food allergies, sepsis, and mental illness in children; and funding to prevent chronic diseases like diabetes.

"Most states, red and blue alike, receive federal funding for many of these subjects, yet only the states that voted against Donald Trump in the 2024 election saw their funding cut. This is disgusting. Americans should not be punished with their health care because of who they voted for-yet our constituents are now at elevated risk of disease because of President Trump's cuts.

"The vindictiveness of this President knows no bounds. Cutting funding for Americans' health care does not make America great. It makes us weaker, poorer, and sicker."

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