The G.O.P. Fought for This Bill. When Trump’s Cuts Came? Silence.

• The Trump administration cut $1 billion from a mental health program Republicans had championed post-Uvalde shooting.
• This dramatic reversal shows a fracture in Republican support under Trump's second term.

The bipartisan legislation passed after the tragic Uvalde school shooting included about $1 billion for school-based mental health programs, vital for preventing violence and supporting students. Despite Republicans championing mental health as a solution, the Trump administration cut this funding three years early, canceling critical support for at-risk students. School districts like those in Southwest Arkansas, which hired counselors with this funding, now face losing these therapists and the positive effects on student well-being and safety. Republicans who helped pass the bill remain silent, failing to challenge or speak out against the abrupt defunding. This moment highlights the Republican Party's surrender of legislative power over funding under Trump's second term, even cutting programs they once supported.

• Senator Chris Murphy witnessed the immediate aftermath of the Uvalde school shooting and the emotional toll on families.
• His personal connection fueled his passionate advocacy for gun control reforms.