Elfreth Defends 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Services for LGBTQ+ Youth

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), a member of the Equality Caucus, defended the lifesaving services that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers LGBTQ+ youth on the House floor and admonished the proposed cuts to the lifeline by the Trump Administration.

"The Trevor Project estimates that at least one LGBTQ youth attempts suicide every 45 seconds. That's less time than my remarks will take today," said Congresswoman Elfreth. "But instead of addressing the very real problem that our nation's youth face, the Trump Administration has issued a budget proposal that seeks to eliminate funding for specialized crisis services for LGBTQ+ youth."

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has saved countless lives. When callers dial 988, they are given the option to speak with specialists, including specialists who serve veterans, Spanish-speaking callers, and LGBTQ+ youth.

The cuts to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline were outlined in a leaked budget proposal, which eliminates funding for specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Elfreth joined her colleagues in writingto Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urging the reversal of these proposed cuts.

CLICK HEREor the image below to view Elfreth's full remarks.

Elfreth has consistently used her time on the House Floor to speak out against cuts to federal programs, including previous remarks on PBS, FEMA's BRIC grants, and NIOSH's Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation Program and the National Cancer Firefighter Registry.

Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth

Remarks as Delivered

House Floor

May 15th, 2025

Mr. Speaker, the Trevor Project estimates that at least one LGBTQ youth attempts suicide every 45 seconds. Every 45 seconds.

That's less time than my remarks will take today.

But instead of addressing this very real public health crisis that our nation's youth face, the Trump Administration has issued a budget proposal that seeks to eliminate funding for specialized crisis services for LGBTQ+ youth.

You see, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has saved countless lives, and when you call that hotline, you have the option to seek care via a specialist - specialists that serve veterans, Spanish-speaking callers, and LGBTQ youth.

And 1.2 million Americans have selected that last option.

But it might not be an option for much longer.

The service has saved lives and allowed Americans to receive the care they need on their hardest days of their lives.

And to me, that's what public service is all about: being there for folks on their hardest days.

I urge my colleagues in this Administration to support full funding for these lifesaving services.

And with that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back.

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