We will introduce legislation to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania when the federal government unlawfully withholds or freezes funds that have already been approved by Congress. These funds consist of Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars that were lawfully appropriated by Congress to support food programs, safe drinking water, schools, and public services.
 
This package establishes two enforcement tools:
 
1. It authorizes Pennsylvania to intercept or reduce payments made to the federal government by the exact amount of unlawfully withheld funds.
2. It authorizes statutory liens on non-essential federal properties within Pennsylvania equal to the value of unlawfully withheld funds.
 
The purpose is simple, to ensure that Pennsylvania families, schools, and older adults are not held hostage by partisan actions. This approach follows the lead of other states, including Maryland, New York, and Wisconsin, that are exploring or advancing similar protections for their residents.
 
Recent events make clear why this authority is necessary. In February, nearly $2 billion owed to Pennsylvania was suddenly frozen, forcing legal action by Governor Shapiro and putting our drinking water and Pennsylvania jobs at risk.
 
In a separate federal action this summer, about $230 million in education funding for Pennsylvania schools was delayed, creating real uncertainty for school districts.
 
Most recently, the federal government announced plans to withhold SNAP funding from certain states, putting groceries, nutrition, and health at risk for families and older adults.
 
Even when funds are eventually released, delays cause immediate harm. They create real fear for families who are worried about food on the table, medical needs, and basic stability, and disrupt school budgets and strain local governments. These illegal actions are not abstract partisan disputes. They hit people’s health, their kids’ classrooms, their grocery bills, and their communities in real time.
 
This legislation advances the safety of Pennsylvanians, and affirms that Pennsylvania will not cow to political extremism.
 
Please join us in co-sponsoring this important legislation that keeps Pennsylvania safe and prosperous and protects all Pennsylvanians from dangerous partisan games by the federal government.