Gov Shapiro Challenges Trump Admin’s Cuts to Funding That Keeps PA Safe | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA - On Friday, Governor Josh Shapiro joined a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's decision to abruptly revoke millions of dollars in homeland security grants owed to the Commonwealth and other states.

These unprecedented cuts threaten public safety and critical emergency preparedness work happening across Pennsylvania - including disaster response, threat detection, and support for first responders who keep communities safe. These cuts are particularly concerning given the rise in extreme weather events and the major events scheduled to take place in Pennsylvania in 2026.

The lawsuit - led by Illinois and joined by Pennsylvania along with ten other states and Washington, D.C. - seeks to reverse unlawful cuts to the Homeland Security Grant Program, which supports state, county, and local governments in preparing for and responding to acts of terrorism, natural disasters, and other major emergencies - protecting communities across Pennsylvania.

Under the Trump Administration's cuts, the Philadelphia region - home to more than 4.2 million people - stands to lose approximately $18 million in Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) funding, a critical piece of the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP).

The lawsuit also challenges new federal requirements that freeze access to a second emergency management grant until states provide FEMA with a population estimate excluding individuals removed from the U.S. under federal immigration law. States cannot develop that estimate because it relies on data that states do not have access to.

Additionally, new federal rules would cut the window of time states have to spend federal funds from three years to just one - making it harder for Pennsylvania to plan strategically, coordinate with local partners, and invest in long-term preparedness. The same rules would deprive county emergency offices of funding for critical costs that they have already incurred.

"The Trump Administration is cutting funding for homeland security initiatives that help us prevent acts of terrorism, respond to natural disasters, and major emergencies. Withholding that funding from Pennsylvania would be dangerous under any circumstances, but to do this just as our law enforcement officers and first responders are preparing for major events in Pennsylvania in 2026 - from the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh to the FIFA World Cup and the MLB All Star Game in Philadelphia - is completely irresponsible," said Governor Shapiro. "Cutting this funding would make our communities less safe - so I'm going to court to make sure Pennsylvania's brave police officers, firefighters, and emergency management professionals get every dollar they are owed."

Critical Funding as Pennsylvania Prepares for 2026

On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia - the birthplace of the nation. Just as Pennsylvania played a pivotal role in 1776, the Commonwealth is once again preparing to host millions of visitors for major events that year, including the FIFA World Cup, the NCAA's March Madness, the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia, and the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

While Pennsylvania continues to plan for these once-in-a-generation events, the lack of FY2025 funds will impact readiness and preparedness across the state and limit the ability to maintain the necessary level of response capabilities.

Impact on Local Preparedness

The Homeland Security Grant Program provides essential resources for state and local agencies to:

• Train public safety personnel in incident management, threat detection, and emergency response procedures;
  
  
• Purchase equipment such as chemical and biological detection devices, robotics, drones, and protective gear; and
  
  
• Maintain communication systems and public messaging infrastructure for coordinated disaster response.

"Federal homeland security funding is critical to ensuring the safety and security of Pennsylvania citizens and visitors every day," said Randy Padfield, Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). "These funds make sure our personnel have the training and equipment to detect threats early and respond effectively - protecting lives and property across the Commonwealth."

Without this funding, counties and municipalities face significant gaps in their ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies. The loss would:

• Limit training and continuing education for emergency managers;
  
  
• Reduce the number of qualified personnel at state and county levels; and
  
  
• Undermine communications networks and mutual aid agreements essential to disaster response and recovery.

All 67 counties across Pennsylvania rely on federal HSGP funding to support local emergency management. Established in 2003, the program helps fund critical preparedness and response efforts statewide.

In addition, the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG), is used to match 50 percent of county emergency management personnel salaries across all counties and the City of Pittsburgh. If the period of performance of the grant is not adjusted, counties across Pennsylvania and the City stand to lose an additional $4.2 million in reimbursement for salaries that support the staff who plan for and respond to emergencies in every community.

"Preparedness Grants like those we receive through the Homeland Security Grant Program provide critical support to Bucks County's disaster response and preparedness effort," said Bucks County Board of Commissioners Chair Bob Harvie. "Rescinding this lifeline without warning or explanation will significantly hinder our ability to respond to natural, manmade or technological disasters in the future. These shortsighted clawbacks put Bucks County residents at risk."

"FEMA funding has long been vital to the safety and security of Chester County residents and the entire southeastern Pennsylvania region," said Chester County Commissioners Board Chair Josh Maxwell. "In 2025 alone, Chester County stands to lose around $2 million in FEMA support - dollars that translate directly into lives protected and communities prepared. These grants power the systems that keep our residents safe - from emergency alerts and disaster response to active threat preparedness in schools, advanced training for first responders, protective equipment for law enforcement, and mass-casualty medical response teams. Slashing those funds puts our safety at serious risk. A cut to FEMA grant money would deal a devastating blow to the Philadelphia metropolitan area and its neighboring communities - the most densely populated region in Pennsylvania."

"In Delaware County, we have issues with flooding, severe storms, and other emergency situations which require forward-thinking preparation to be ready to prevent, mitigate, and recover from disasters," said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. "That's why we need a federal government that works as a partner through agencies like FEMA. Delaware County strongly supports Governor Shapiro's decision to join this lawsuit against the arbitrary and wrongful withholding of FEMA funding to the communities that need it, and that Congress rightly appropriated money to support."

"The decision to withhold FEMA funding from Pennsylvania is reckless and endangers public safety. No government should play favorites when it comes to disaster relief," said Montgomery County Commissioners Neil Makhija and Jamila Winder. "FEMA's support has been critical to Montgomery County residents for decades, from Hurricane Ida in 2023 to Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and beyond. It's irresponsible to play politics with people's lives. How a person votes should never determine whether or not they get rescued. We appreciate Governor Shapiro's actions in protecting Pennsylvanians."

"Public safety is the number one priority of the Parker administration. In last year's budget alone, we invested more than $960 million in public safety-related services and programs from our general operating fund. That includes more than $870 million in policing, $68.6 million for the Office of Public Safety, $16.5 million for the Riverview Wellness Center, and $6.4 million in emergency management. In 2024, we received more than $27 million in grants and reimbursements from the state for public safety," said Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. "There is no more important issue facing Philadelphia than ensuring our residents feel safe in their homes, their neighborhoods, and at work. My promise to Philadelphia is a safer, cleaner and greener city, with access to economic opportunity for all. Public safety investments like these help us deliver on that vision, for every resident of Philadelphia, and for every visitor planning to come to our city for the Semiquincentennial in 2026."

"This funding is vital to ensuring our first responders and emergency management personnel have the tools, training, and resources they need to protect residents," said York County Commissioner Doug Hoke. "If these funds are lost or the timeline is shortened, it will jeopardize our ability to build and sustain long-term preparedness projects that keep our communities safe."

Governor Shapiro is taking action to reverse the Trump Administration's unlawful cuts, restore critical public safety funding, and ensure Pennsylvania remains ready to respond to emergencies, protect residents, and safeguard vital infrastructure as the Commonwealth prepares for a historic year ahead.

The lawsuit is led by Illinois, and in addition to Pennsylvania, joined by California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington, D.C.