PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has abruptly canceled more than $30 million in federal funding that had been earmarked to the Rhode Island Department of Health, 12 News has learned. In a statement to 12 News, Department of Health spokesperson Joseph Wendelken confirmed that the CDC terminated four grants that support a number of the state's post-pandemic initiatives. "While the work funded by these grants goes beyond responding to COVID-19, the CDC's cause for terminating these grants was the end of the COVID-19 pandemic," Wendelken explained. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ordered $11.4 billion in cuts to COVID-19-related funding across the country. It appears to be connected to President Donald Trump's ongoing crusade to eliminate unnecessary government spending. RELATED: Trump pulls back funding from local health departments Wendelken said the Department of Health is working "very closely" with R.I. Attorney General Peter Neronha to explore options to safeguard that federal funding. "The state is going to have to make a decision," Neronha said on 12 News at 4 Tuesday. "Either we're going to continue doing this work at the state's expense, or not do it at all." Neronha stressed that he plans on pushing back, especially since that federal funding was being put toward critical initiatives like childhood vaccination efforts and the state's response to future pandemics. "If there is a fight to be had, which I believe there is, then it is my office that will lead that fight," Neronha said. Neronha said that's why Gov. Dan McKee should invest in his office. "When the president froze funding, he froze effectively one-third of the state’s budget. That's $5 billion," he explained. "A small investment in my office to protect that $5 billion? I think it's a worthy investment." SEE ALSO: Georgia congressman files bill to impeach RI's chief federal judge Neronha is asking McKee for an additional $2 million so he can hire more attorneys, but stressed that he plans to do so even if he has to pay for them himself using the legal fees his office earned through opioid settlements. "The governor should stand with us," Neronha said. "If he is true to his word and truly believes that Donald Trump is a threat to democracy, then he knows who to stand with." "I don't think my office should continuously have to pay for itself," he continued. "I don't think that's in the best interest of this office long-term. But I can do it and will do it if I have to." Neronha's been at the forefront of several lawsuits against the Trump administration, including several targeting the funding freezes and mass firings that have upended the federal government. "I don't think my office should continuously have to pay for itself effectively," he said. "I don't think that's in the best interest of this office long-term. But I can do it and will do it if I have to." He said his attorneys "are carrying all the work that they'd do if Donald Trump wasn't president, and doing all this work on top of it." "They are delivering for Rhode Islanders every day," Neronha said of his team. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media:                     Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less