Krishnamoorthi Hails Restoration of 988 LGBTQ+ Crisis Line Following His Efforts

October 1, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), author of the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act and a Vice Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, hailed the restoration of specialized LGBTQ+ crisis line services through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline after the Trump Administration shut them down in July 2025. After Congressman Krishnamoorthi helped secure $33.1 million in federal funding earlier this year to restore the program , he partnered with allies in Congress and LGBTQ+ and mental health advocates to pressure the Trump Administration to use that funding and bring the “Press 3” option back online. “I’m proud that we secured the funding to restore this lifesaving LGBTQ+ crisis line and successfully pressured the Trump Administration to bring the program back,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “When an LGBTQ+ young person reaches out for help in a moment of crisis, they deserve to reach a counselor trained to understand and support them. This program should never have been taken away, and now we need to make sure it stays available for every young person who needs it. I’m grateful to The Trevor Project, NAMI Chicago, Equality Illinois, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and all the advocates and young people who worked alongside us to bring these services back.” Congressman Krishnamoorthi introduced the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act in September 2025 after the Trump Administration shut down the specialized services. The legislation would require HHS to maintain dedicated crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth and reserve at least 9 percent of annual 988 funding for those services. After Congress provided funding to restore the crisis line, Congressman Krishnamoorthi repeatedly pressed the Department of Health and Human Services to follow through. In May, he joined Representatives Sharice Davids and Seth Moulton in a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanding a timeline for restoration and answers on the Administration’s implementation of Congress’s funding . He also helped lead four public events in Chicago and Washington calling for the crisis line’s return, including a May press conference at NAMI Chicago , a June roundtable with LGBTQ+ young people and advocates , a July press conference in Washington , and a September roundtable and press conference with Illinois mental health and LGBTQ+ leaders .