HARRISBURG, PA − October 31, 2025 − Senate Democrats today express their gratitude to Governor Shapiro for his decision to sign the Disaster Emergency Declaration and send $5 million in Commonwealth funds to Pennsylvania’s network of food banks.
Also earlier this week Governor Josh Shapiro announced that Pennsylvania has joined the multi-state lawsuit Require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to employ available congressionally appropriated emergency funds to pay for SNAP benefits for November. Today, the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued an order an order requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture to employ emergency funds to fund SNAP. The order also states that defendants may agree to transfer additional funds to replenish contingency funds in order to avoid any reductions in benefits.
Nearly one in eight Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP, and the Trump administration’s decision to withhold nearly $366 million in monthly payments places an extraordinary burden on Pennsylvania’s food banks and charitable food systems.
“As the Trump administration engages in yet another atrocity by attempting to withhold SNAP dollars, Governor Shapiro has stepped in to ensure our friends and neighbors have food on the table,” he added. said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “My colleagues and I have received numerous calls from concerned constituents concerned that they will not be able to stock their pantries and refrigerators due to a callous decision by the President and his enablers in the federal government. We are deeply grateful for our Governor’s leadership in the fight for the food and safety of every Pennsylvanian.”
“This is an emergency situation,” he said Senator Art Haywood, Democratic chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee in the state Senate. “Thank you Governor Shapiro for your involvement in this disaster. Once again, the justices have protected the people of Pennsylvania from this man-made disaster.”
on Tuesday, Senate Democrats announced the legislation which would further support Pennsylvania food banks with interest accrued from the Rainy Day Fund, introduced as Senate Bill 1080.
Learn more about Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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