Congresswoman Simon’s Statement on Trump Administration’s Decision to Reinstate Billions in Mental Health and Addiction Grants After Abrupt Cancellation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) issued the following statement after Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reinstated nearly $2 billionin grants to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). On January 13^th, 2026, SAMHSA abruptly terminated over 2,800 grantsacross the nation. In the California's 12^th Congressional District, at least 13 grants totaling over $13.8 million dollars had been terminated.

Following the SAMHSA grant cancellations, Congresswoman Simon joined a bipartisan effort with 100 House colleaguesdemanding clarity from Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and calling for funding to be restored immediately.

Of the reinstatement Congresswoman Simon stated:

"After national outrage and pressure from families and Congress alike, I am pleased that Secretary Kennedy reversed his senseless decision and reinstated nearly $2 billion dollars in mental health and substance abuse treatment grants across the nation.

"These grants provide essential care including suicide prevention, HIV testing, education and prevention, youth mental health services, and the provision of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Inability to access care and uncertainty serves no one - and I will keep fighting to protect Congress' power of the purse and access to health care for my constituents."

You can read the full letter text here.

Congresswoman Simon has been a leader in health care access and public health. In October 2025, Congresswomen Simon, Kelly and Trahan demanded answersfrom the Department of Health and Human Services on the impact of the government shutdown on the development of and access to lifesaving, groundbreaking innovation. In September 2025, Congresswoman Simon called on Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to resign as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services.

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