Democrats demand HHS reinstate cancelled teen pregnancy prevention grants

July 3, 2026 - 00:13

Democrats in both the House and Senate are pressing the Trump administration to reverse the abrupt cancellation of tens of millions of dollars in teen pregnancy prevention grants. The funding, which was cut last week without prior notice, had supported evidence-based programs across multiple states aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy rates.

In a joint letter to the Department of Health and Human Services, lawmakers argued that the decision undermines public health efforts and disrupts services for vulnerable youth. The grants were part of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, a federal initiative that has funded sex education, contraceptive access, and mentorship for over a decade. Critics of the cancellation say it leaves community organizations without resources to continue programs that have shown measurable success in lowering teen birth rates.

The Trump administration has not provided a detailed explanation for the cuts, though some officials have previously questioned the effectiveness of certain TPP initiatives. Democrats, however, point to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that teen births have declined by more than 70 percent since the early 1990s, with federal programs playing a key role.

The letter urges HHS Secretary to immediately restore the funding and provide a transparent accounting of why the grants were terminated. Without reinstatement, advocates warn, many clinics and schools will be forced to shut down their pregnancy prevention services, potentially reversing years of progress.