Rep. Kelly Defends Community Violence Intervention Programs, Funding

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) spoke out today in defense of community violence intervention (CVI) programs, which are proven practices to reduce gun violence and build safer communities. She was joined by: Reps. Maxwell Frost (FL-10) and Steven Horsford (NV-04); Gregory Jackson, former Executive Director of White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and national CVI advocate; and Dr. Chico Tillmon, Executive Director of the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) with the University of Chicago Crime Lab.

“House Republicans and President Donald Trump must not lay a finger on CVI funding and gun safety policies,” said. Rep. Kelly. “The partisan bill that was just passed by House Republicans yesterday gives Trump and Elon Musk permission to roll back CDC and NIH research funding into gun violence, despite Congress prioritizing this work in the past. CVI workers save lives from gun violence every day and offers a brighter future. I will not stand by as the gun lobby tries to claw its way back to power and strip away the good work we did during the Biden Administration.”

Participants with CVILA include 31 CVI leaders from over 20 cities across the country. 

CVI initiatives are an evidence-based approach to reducing gun violence. Across the country, CVI leaders—many of whom have direct experience with the impact of violence—are using data-driven strategies to intervene, de-escalate conflicts, and prevent violence before it occurs.