Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro initiated legal action against the Trump administration on Thursday, aiming to release billions of dollars in federal funds currently frozen. The lawsuit alleges that the White House Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) directive to halt funding on January 27th has prevented Pennsylvania state agencies from accessing crucial resources. The state claims it cannot access $1.2 billion and requires federal review for an additional $900 million.
Governor Shapiro argues that the funding freeze breaches a contractual agreement between the federal government and Pennsylvania, jeopardizing essential projects related to public health, energy costs, clean water, and job creation. He emphasized his duty to safeguard Pennsylvania's interests.
The Trump administration has countered such legal challenges as attempts to undermine the public's will and labeled Shapiro's lawsuit as part of the "Left's resistance." White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields asserted that these lawsuits obstruct President Trump's agenda and that the administration is prepared to defend its actions in court.
Shapiro highlighted the potential negative impact of the funding freeze on projects such as abandoned mine land reclamation, orphan well capping, and consumer cost reduction efforts. He noted that the Commonwealth is accumulating debt on federally approved projects due to the funding delays.
Pennsylvania joins numerous other states and Washington D.C. that have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration over this issue. While federal judges have issued temporary restraining orders in some cases, Pennsylvania was not included in the initial wave of litigation and thus has not benefited from the released funds. Governor Shapiro's lawsuit seeks to rectify this and bring Pennsylvania under the umbrella of the court order.
Democratic groups have expressed strong support for Shapiro's legal action, emphasizing the importance of the frozen funds for Pennsylvania families, communities, and economic stability. Evergreen Action, a climate advocacy organization, praised Shapiro for his stance, urging swift restoration of the funds to address the needs of Pennsylvanians.
