Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – 7/15/26… Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Sharice Davids (KS-03), and Seth Moulton (MA-06) stood alongside leaders from the Trevor Project and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for a bipartisan press conference calling for the swift restoration of specialized LGBTQ+ youth crisis services within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and welcoming the Administration’s commitment to restore them. 

WATCH: LAWLER CONTINUES TO CALL ON ADMINISTRATION TO RESTORE LGBTQ+ 988 YOUTH CRISIS SERVICES 

“When the decision was made to eliminate the ‘Press 3’ option, I spoke out because I believed it was the wrong decision. I said then, and I believe now, that if a young person is scared, alone, and thinking about taking their own life, they shouldn't have to wonder whether the help they need will be there. That’s also why I was proud to help introduce the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act. Our bill would protect these specialized services within the 988 Lifeline and provide dedicated funding to help ensure they're there for every young person who needs them. We need to move quickly, provide the resources necessary to fully restore these services, and make sure no young person in crisis is left without someone to answer the call,” said Congressman Lawler.

Rep. Lawler has been engaged on this issue from the beginning. Last year, he led a letter to Secretary Kennedy urging the Administration to preserve the specialized LGBTQ+ youth services within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. He also introduced H.R.5434, the 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act of 2025 alongside Rep. Krishnamoorthi. He also worked to ensure funding for the restoration of these services through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process, securing $33.1 million.

With the Administration’s recent decision to restore the LGBTQ+ youth services, he is committed to working with the Administration to make this happen as quickly as possible. 

PHOTOS: Pictures from the event can be found HERE.

VIDEO: Remarks from the event can be found HERE. 

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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