NEWTOWN, Conn. — Today, by a vote of 397–28, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a package of several bills funding portions of the government through September of the FY2026, which includes $195 million in total for the STOP School Violence Act, with funding split between the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s prevention-focused grants and the Community Oriented Policing Services program.
Sandy Hook Promise applauds this strong bipartisan support for strengthening federal investments in evidence-based violence prevention, youth mental health, and suicide-prevention programs that help schools and communities identify warning signs and intervene.
In response, Lauren Levin, chief advocacy officer of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, issued the following statement:
“Protecting children requires more than a reaction—it requires proactive prevention. We are grateful for the bipartisan leadership in the House that recognizes the urgent need to invest in evidence-based programs that help schools identify warning signs, connect young people to care, and stop violence and suicide before lives are lost.
“At a time when families are deeply concerned about safety and mental health in schools, the STOP School Violence Act remains the only federal program dedicated to prevention and early intervention. We urge leaders in the Senate to continue this bipartisan momentum and move swiftly to pass funding that gives schools and communities the tools they need to keep children safe and supported.”
The STOP School Violence Act supports grants to states, local governments, school districts, and Tribes to implement evidence-based prevention strategies, including threat assessment teams, anonymous reporting systems, and training for students and school personnel to recognize warning signs and intervene. Research consistently shows that most acts of school violence and youth suicide are preceded by observable warning signs—making early detection and intervention essential to saving lives.
House support for the STOP School Violence Act was led by Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), alongside Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Young Kim (R-CA), and Jim Himes (D-CT). It also included support from the following members of Congress: Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI), Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), Rep. Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. André Carson (D-IN), Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL), Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA), Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Rep. Val Hoyle (D-OR), Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Rep. John James (R-MI), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA), Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rep. John Larson (D-CT), Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA), Rep. David Scott (D-GA), Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Rep. George Whitesides (D-CA).
The STOP School Violence Act was originally drafted by Sandy Hook Promise with bipartisan support back in 2018. The program provides grants to school districts, states, and tribes for the purposes of training students, school personnel, and law enforcement to recognize signs of violence and intervene to prevent people from hurting themselves or others. It also supports the development of anonymous reporting systems along with school threat assessment and intervention teams. Sandy Hook Promise proudly worked with Republicans and Democrats to write and pass this evidence-informed legislation in 2018 during President Trump’s first term.
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The Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund (SHPAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization committed to protecting all children from gun violence in schools, homes, and communities. The SHP Action Fund advances a holistic policy platform that promotes gun safety, youth mental health, and violence prevention education. The organization works at the state and federal level to pass nonpartisan legislation through inclusive partnerships, diverse grassroots education, and community mobilization. It is part of Sandy Hook Promise, founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
Media Contact:
Claudia Montecinos | [email protected] | 203-304-9780 Ext. 336