Over $2 Billion in Federal Aid is returning back to Pennsylvania. This comes after a Trump Administration memo froze federal funding for nearly a month.
At a Press Conference Monday afternoon, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that every dollar that was previously suspended in Pennsylvania is now unfrozen and once again accessible to all State Agencies. He says this was made possible through direct pressure and engagement with Trump’s Administration.
Since late January, Governor Josh Shapiro says he’s been fighting what he describes as an “unconstitutional and illegal move” by the Trump Administration to suspend Billions in Federal Funding. Last month, Trump issued a memo freezing Federal Grants and loans that were already approved by Congress to review if the spending aligned with his executive orders.
Shapiro saying: “This is basic stuff the kids learn in middle school. Congress passed Laws committing billions of dollars to the States. The President then signed those Bills into Law. To put it simply, a deal is a deal.”
After several unsuccessful conversations with Federal Partners to unfreeze the funding, Shapiro says he filed a lawsuit demanding that the aid be given to the State. In the month that the funding was frozen, Shapiro says several important State Programs and projects employing dozens were halted.
Shapiro adding: “That included funding to prevent sinkholes and make abandoned mine lands safe, and funding to reduce energy costs for Homeowners and ensure the water flowing to Pennsylvanians faucets was clean and pure.”
However, Shapiro says that a conversation at the White House on Friday with Senior Trump Officials was extremely productive. Three days after that meeting, Shapiro announced that the Federal Funding was restored. Now, he says critical State Programs that were in jeopardy are now resumed.
Shapiro, in closing: “We can resume the important work for the good people of Pennsylvania. Without subjecting Pennsylvanians to the risk of the Commonwealth receiving a bill for work that should have been paid for by the Federal Government.”
Shapiro also explained that even though this issue is resolved, he will continue fighting to keep Pennsylvania protected.