PA Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Stop the Political Weaponization of Pennsylvania Food and Water
Rep. Tarah Probst December 4, 2025 | 11:48 AM
HARRISBURG, Dec. 4 — Legislation introduced today by Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Phila., Chris Pielli, D-Chester, Carol Kazeem, D-Delaware, Tarah Probst, D-Monroe/Pike, and G. Roni Green, D-Phila., would establish tools to protect the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from unlawful federal funding freezes that threaten public safety, schools and essential services.
The Prohibiting the Political Weaponization of Pennsylvania Food and Water bill package would authorize the commonwealth to intercept payments made to the federal government equal to the amount of illegally withheld aid and to place statutory liens on non-essential federal properties located in Pennsylvania when lawfully appropriated funds are improperly frozen.
“These are our resources -- Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars that were already approved by Congress to support our food programs, our clean water, schools, infrastructure and public services,” Khan said. “When those funds are frozen for political reasons, families, workers and older adults suffer and pay the price.”
Recent federal actions underscore the need for stronger protections. Earlier this year, the Trump administration froze nearly $2 billion owed to Pennsylvania, forcing legal action by Gov. Josh Shapiro before the funds were restored. That funding freeze threatened drinking water safety and Pennsylvania jobs. This summer, roughly $230 million in education funding for Pennsylvania schools was also delayed, creating major uncertainty for school districts across the commonwealth. This week, the federal government announced plans to withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding, known as SNAP, from certain states, putting groceries, nutrition and health at risk for families and older adults.
“Even short delays in funding cause real harm,” said Pielli. “School budgets are disrupted, local governments face cash-flow crises, and families are left worried about basic needs. These are not abstract disputes. They hit classrooms, grocery bills and community services in real time.”
The legislation follows the lead of states including Maryland, New York, and Wisconsin that are advancing similar protections against unlawful federal funding actions.
“This is about protecting the safety of the commonwealth, fairness and making it clear that Pennsylvanians will not cow to political extremism,” Khan said. “No administration should be able to hold our residents hostage by turning off the funding that keeps communities safe, healthy and working.”