Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro sues Trump administration over $1.2 billion funding freeze, claiming constitutional violations and administrative overreach.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania sues Trump administration over $1.2 billion funding freeze, with an additional $900 million under review.
- Governor Shapiro claims the freeze violates the U.S. Constitution and Administrative Procedure Act.
- Funds are crucial for environmental projects, infrastructure, and utility bill relief for residents.
- The Trump administration has not complied with federal judges’ orders to restore funding access.
- The lawsuit accuses federal agencies of lacking legal authority to withhold congressionally appropriated funds.
Pennsylvania Takes Legal Action Against Funding Freeze
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a significant funding freeze that has withheld more than $1.2 billion meant for the state. The legal action, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, claims that the freeze violates constitutional principles and the Administrative Procedure Act.
The lawsuit names several federal agencies as defendants, including the White House Office of Management and Budget, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Departments of Interior and Transportation. Governor Shapiro argues that the blocked funding is crucial for fostering projects tied to environmental rehabilitation, infrastructure expansion, and stimulating local economies.
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s funding freeze, and claimed Pennsylvania isn’t able to get $1.2 billion that it’s owed. https://t.co/OsNBJyy8sD
— Pittsburgh Business Times (@PghBizTimes) February 13, 2025
Impact on State Projects and Residents
The funding freeze, initiated on January 27, has affected billions in funding agreed upon by Congress. Pennsylvania officials claim that the state has been unable to access $1.2 billion in federal grants, with an additional $900 million requiring further review by federal agencies. This has led to debts and obligations in federally approved projects that Pennsylvania cannot cover with reserve funds.
“To protect Pennsylvania’s interests and the funding appropriated to us by Congress, I’m left with no choice but to pursue legal action to defend our Commonwealth,” the governor said.
The frozen funds are essential for various environmental projects, including reclaiming abandoned mine land, maintaining water treatment systems, and responding to emergencies. Additionally, the funding supports plugging abandoned wells and providing utility bill relief to approximately 28,000 residents.
Legal Challenges and Administration Response
Despite federal judges ordering the restoration of funding access, the Trump administration has not complied. The lawsuit describes the actions of the federal agencies as “flagrantly lawless” and accuses them of lacking legal authority to withhold congressionally appropriated funds over policy disagreements.
“Despite that work, and despite two temporary restraining orders requiring federal agencies to restore access to suspended funds, federal agencies continue to deny Pennsylvania agencies funding that they are entitled to receive.”
The Department of Energy claims compliance with court orders but has not confirmed the release of funds for energy efficiency upgrades. The Trump administration had initially issued a memo freezing federal grants and loans, which was later rescinded, but funds remained tied up.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s funding freeze, accusing several federal agencies and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of unlawfully withholding more than $1.2 billion in federal funding owed to Pennsylvania…
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) February 13, 2025
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
This legal battle continues to illustrate the contentious dynamics between the autonomy of state initiatives and federal budgetary governance. Shapiro’s lawsuit argues that new conditions cannot be added to federal aid after acceptance and that aid cannot be shut off without legal justification, citing a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s spending clause.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for federal-state relations and the distribution of congressionally approved funds. As the legal proceedings unfold, Pennsylvania and other states affected by similar freezes will be closely watching for any developments that could impact their access to crucial federal funding for essential projects and services.
Sources:
- Governor Shapiro suing Trump Administration over funding freeze
- Pennsylvania governor sues over Trump administration spending freezes on grants and loans
- Pennsylvania Sues Trump Admin for Blocking $1.2 Billion in Funding
