Pennsylvania receiving once frozen federal funding

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Governor Josh Shapiro says Pennsylvania will be receiving about $2 billion in federal funds that had been frozen by the Trump administration.

The Governor said the fund freeze impacted “key priorities across Pennsylvania,” particularly environmental projects like plugging abandoned wells.

Nearly two weeks ago Shapiro sued the Trump administration to release the frozen funds. The Governor argued that presidents can not unilaterally halt funding that’s already been approved and appropriated by Congress.

“This is basic stuff the kids learn in middle school. It’s how our Constitution works,” said Shapiro on Monday. “Congress passed laws committing billions of dollars to the states for serious needs. The president then signed those bills into law. Then the federal government entered into contracts with state government agencies, agreements with state agencies to get those dollars out into people’s communities. Those agreements are binding.”

The White House had dismissed the lawsuit, with Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields saying in a statement to abc27 News earlier this month “Radical Leftists can either choose to swim against the tide and reject the overwhelming will of the people, or they can get on board and work with President Trump to advance his wildly popular agenda.”