HARRISBURG, PA − October 31, 2025 − Today, Senate Democrats express gratitude to Governor Shapiro for his decision to sign a Declaration of Disaster Emergency and sending $5 million in Commonwealth Funding to Pennsylvania’s network of foodbanks.
Additionally, earlier this week, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that Pennsylvania joined a multi-state lawsuit to demand that the US Department of Agriculture use available, Congressionally-appropriated contingency funding to pay SNAP benefits for November. Today, the United States District Court, District of Massachusetts, issued an order requiring the United States Department of Agriculture to utilize the Contingency Funds to fund the SNAP program. The Order also states that Defendants are permitted to authorize a transfer of additional funds in order to supplement the Contingency Funds to avoid any reductions to benefits.
Nearly one in eight Pennsylvanians benefits from SNAP, and the Trump administration’s decision to withhold nearly $366 million in monthly payments places an extraordinary strain on Pennsylvania’s food banks and charitable food systems.
“As the Trump Administration engages in another exercise in cruelty by attempting to withhold SNAP dollars, Governor Shapiro has stepped up to ensure that our friends and neighbors have food on the table,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “My colleagues and I have been receiving a deluge of calls from concerned constituents, fearful that they will not be able to stock their pantries and refrigerators because of the heartless decision of the President and his enablers in the Federal government. We are deeply grateful for the leadership of our Governor to fight for the food and safety of every Pennsylvanian.”
“This is an emergency,” said Senator Art Haywood, the Democratic Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee in the State Senate. “Thank you to Governor Shapiro for stepping up in this disaster. Once again, judges have protected the people of Pennsylvania from this man-made disaster.”
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats announced legislation that would further support Pennsylvania’s food banks with interest accrued from the Rainy Day Fund, introduced as Senate Bill 1080.
Learn more about the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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