CAPITOL ROUNDUP: Gov. Shapiro challenges decision to revoke $185M owed 116 PA school districts
Apr. 13—WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Josh Shapiro this week joined a multi-state lawsuit with 15 other states and the District of Columbia challenging the Trump Administration's decision to abruptly revoke $185 million in funding owed to Pennsylvania — much of which the United States Department of Education had already approved for distribution.
These funds include $183.6 million owed to 116 Pennsylvania school districts, charter schools, intermediate units, and career and technical centers and $1.8 million owed to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
This funding supports mental health resources for students, provides access to reliable high-speed internet, and enables HVAC installation to improve student health and safety.
Gov. Shapiro has been working aggressively to protect Pennsylvania taxpayers and ensure the federal government honors its obligations. In February, the Governor filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's unconstitutional freeze of federal funding, and just last week Governor Shapiro joined a multistate lawsuit to protect public health in Pennsylvania after the Trump Administration abruptly and arbitrarily canceled more than half a billion dollars in public health grants.
As a result of the Governor taking legal action both times, $2.7 billion in federal funding owed to Pennsylvanians has been restored.
"Congress and the federal government made a commitment to our students, and school districts across Pennsylvania started construction to make schools safer, delivered supplies to students, and invested to create more opportunity for our kids based on that commitment," said Gov. Shapiro. "Now the Trump Administration is trying to renege on its commitments to our kids and leave Pennsylvania taxpayers holding the bag. Every Pennsylvania student deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed."
In early 2025, the United States Department of Education (USDE) granted Pennsylvania an extension of time to access hundreds of millions of dollars in funds previously awarded to students in grades K-12 attending both public and private schools.
Legislation would increase penalties for illegals reentering the U.S.
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week co-sponsored H.R. 749 — the Stop Illegal Reentry Act (Kate's Law) — a bill that would increase criminal penalties for specific individuals who illegally reenter the U.S. after exclusion or removal.
The Stop Illegal Reentry Act, also known as Kate's Law, is named in memory of Kate Steinle — a 32-year-old woman tragically killed by an illegal immigrant with multiple felony convictions who had been deported five times.
Under this legislation, individuals who have been denied entry or removed from the U.S. three or more times and then attempt to reenter illegally would face fines, up to ten years in prison, or both.
The bill also imposes stricter penalties on those with serious criminal history — specifically individuals convicted of aggravated felonies or removed after at least two prior convictions.
If they attempt to reenter, they would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to twenty years in prison, along with possible fines.
Rep. Meuser noted that under President Trump's leadership, illegal border crossings have drastically been reduced compared to the number of illegal crossings under the Biden Administration. For context, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported just 7,181 encounters at the Southern border in March of this year — a 95% decrease from the 137,473 encounters recorded in March 2024 under the Biden-Harris administration.
"H.R. 749, the Stop Illegal Reentry Act, is a targeted effort to impose serious consequences on individuals who repeatedly and unlawfully reenter the United States after removal — particularly those with felony convictions," Rep. Meuser said. "This legislation sends a clear message: if you've been removed from the country due to criminal activity and attempt to return illegally, there will be real consequences. By enforcing our immigration laws and strengthening penalties, we can help prevent future tragedies and restore accountability at the border. No family should have to endure the kind of loss that Kate Steinle's family did."
H.R. 749 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
U.S. Sen. McCormick introduces term limits resolution
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pittsburgh, introduced a joint resolution this week proposing an amendment to the Constitution to implement term limits in Congress.
This resolution would limit Senators to two six-year terms and House Members to six two-year terms, limiting either chamber to service of 12 years.
"Our Founding Fathers never imagined that Congress would become an institution filled with career politicians who stay on well past retirement age, and Congress shouldn't be a place where people can get comfortable in their jobs," Sen. McCormick said. "We are extremely grateful for those who have served, for those who are serving, and for those who are willing to serve. At the same time, we need constant change and new blood for our democracy to work, and it is my hope that this resolution can help Washington begin to work again for the American people."
Notably, McCormick's resolution would not apply to any person who was in office prior to the 118th Congress.
Sen. McCormick said elected office has become an increasingly popular career choice rather than a temporary service.
More than one-third of Senators in the 118th Congress were 70 or older. The 119th Congress is the third oldest in history. The average Senator is nearly 64 years old, which is 11 years older than the average Senator in 1981.
Similarly, the House Members are nearly nine years older on average than they were in 1981.
As of this year, Members of the House and Senate have an average of 8.6 and 11.2 years of prior service in their respective chambers. This represents a steady increase from the early 20th century when that number fell below six years for both the House and Senate.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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