Baldwin Meets with Families Impacted by Milwaukee School Closures Due to Lead Exposure, Lack of Federal Support

MILWAUKEE, WI – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) visited Milwaukee Public Schools’ (MPS) Frances Starms Discovery Learning Center to meet with parents whose children’s health was at risk and schools were closed this year because of lead hazards.

“When Milwaukee called for help to keep kids safe and address this lead crisis, their application was denied because RFK, Jr. and Donald Trump fired every single one of the lead experts who could help,” said Senator Baldwin. “Today, I heard firsthand from Milwaukee families whose children have been poisoned by lead and were forced out of the schools they attend, all while they continue to live in fear and think they were left behind. While Donald Trump and RFK, Jr. continue to sit on their hands, I’ll keep showing up, listening to the families, and fighting to hold the Trump administration to account so Milwaukee gets the support it deserves.”

Baldwin’s visit comes as she continues to hold the Trump Administration accountable for failing to support Milwaukee, firing the entire Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Surveillance Branch, and not providing on-the-ground support to keep children safe.

In early April, the Centers for Disease Control notified MPS that they would not be able to receive on-site help from lead experts because the Trump administration shut down the lead poisoning branch and fired the experts. The crisis has shuttered six schools and displaced 1,800 children in Milwaukee. Senator Baldwin has repeatedly pressed the Administration to reinstate fired experts and approve Milwaukee’s plea for federal assistance. 

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