Apr. 6—WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Sen. John Fetterman this week said the United States Senate passed the 2025 Budget Resolution along party lines after Senate Republicans blocked 19 amendments to protect Americans' Medicaid, Medicare and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits; address the economic fallout of President Trump's tariff orders; and rein in DOGE's take-down of the federal workforce.

Fetterman, D-Braddock, cast a "no" vote on the budget and released the following statement in response:

"I voted a hard 'NO' on the Republicans' so-called 'big, beautiful' budget bill.

"I will never support any bill that strips Medicaid, Medicare or SNAP benefits from Americans to bankroll tax cuts for billionaires.

"Pennsylvania deserves better than this and I'll keep fighting for a government that serves the people, not special interests."

Fetterman said the FY25 Budget Resolution establishes an overall limit on government spending. He said Congress will now proceed to the appropriations process, where lawmakers determine exactly how much money each federal agency and program receives.

Fetterman said the budget serves as Congress's blueprint for which federal programs are prioritized in determining where federal dollars go.

Fetterman voted against it. He listed the following reasons as to why he voted in opposition:

Attacks on Medicaid and Medicare

—More than 3.1 million Pennsylvanians rely on Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

—39% of Pennsylvania children and 45,000 births per year rely on CHIP and Medicaid.

—Medicaid covers more than 722,000 people with a disability in Pennsylvania.

Threats to Social Security

—Ongoing reorganization at the agency under DOGE puts 325,148 Pennsylvanians' checks at risk, totaling $232.8 million in monthly payments.

Rising costs from tariffs

—President Trump's tariff orders could cost the average family $4,000 per year.

—In Pennsylvania alone:

— Up to $5.84 billion hit to the state economy.

— 347,100 jobs affected.

Cuts to SNAP food assistance

—Over 2 million Pennsylvanians rely on SNAP to put food on the table.

—11% of Pennsylvania households face food insecurity, with more than 60,000 veterans and 700,000 children who rely on SNAP for meal assistance.

—SNAP brought $4.27 billion to Pennsylvania in FY 2024.

Fetterman said he remains committed to protecting Pennsylvanians' access to affordable health care, stable incomes in retirement and relief from escalating costs. He said he will continue working with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect these critical programs and services as the appropriations process moves forward.

Legislators push to end under-funding in special education

Fetterman this week joined Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) to reintroduce the IDEA Full Funding Act — legislation to ensure Congress finally fulfills its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Fetterman said that 50 years ago, Congress passed IDEA to ensure that every child with a disability has access to educational opportunities. He said this law was a historic step forward, but since its passage, Congress has failed to provide the funding it promised.

The legislation is co-sponsored by more than 30 members in the Senate and more than 60 members in the House of Representatives and is endorsed by 60 organizations.

Under IDEA, the federal government committed to pay 40% of the average per pupil expenditure for special education; however, that pledge has never been met, Fetterman said. According to the Congressional Research Service, funding is at less than 12%, and the IDEA shortfall in the 2024-2025 school year nationwide was $38.66 billion. Under full funding, Pennsylvania alone would have received more than $1.4 billion.

"We promised families we'd have their backs, and for decades, we've fallen short on that promise," Fetterman said. "Because IDEA hasn't been fully funded, parents and teachers have been working overtime to make up for the missing resources their students desperately need. Making IDEA whole is how we guarantee students with disabilities get the support they need to thrive in school."

Shapiro stands up for PA farmers, businesses and workers

Gov. Josh Shapiro this week met with farmers, small business owners, and workers across Pennsylvania to hear first-hand about the challenges they face and highlight how his Administration is helping them innovate, grow, and stay competitive — all while pushing back against harmful federal tariffs that are driving up costs for all Pennsylvanians.

The governor emphasized that new federal tariffs on key trade partners like Canada and Mexico will raise costs for farmers and businesses, making it harder to compete and grow.

Shapiro said that while Washington raises costs, Pennsylvania is cutting them — lowering taxes, streamlining regulations and making targeted investments to support economic growth.

Pennsylvania has boosted workforce development funding by nearly $65 million — a 50% increase — expanding vo-tech programs, career and technical education (CTE) and apprenticeships to ensure more Pennsylvanians have the skills they need to succeed, Shapiro said.

Baker reports Senate acts against false emergency threats

The Pennsylvania Senate this week approved legislation this week to crack down on false emergency threats targeting schools, a move aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing the strain on emergency responders, according to Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, who supported the measure.

In Northeast Pennsylvania, nearly a dozen schools were plagued by anonymous threats in 2023, resulting in closures and loss of instruction time, hindering student progress.

Baker said Senate Bill 96 would establish new felony penalties for individuals who make hoax emergency reports involving educational institutions.

If signed into law, making a false report of an emergency threat to a school would be classified as a third-degree felony, and courts would be allowed to impose financial penalties to recover the costs incurred by taxpayers for emergency response efforts.

"False emergency threats not only create panic in our schools but also waste critical resources that should be directed toward real emergencies," Baker said. "By establishing stronger penalties, we are sending a clear message that these reckless actions will not be tolerated. Our schools must remain safe havens for learning, free from unnecessary fear and disruption."

The legislation comes in response to a troubling rise in hoax threats made against schools across Pennsylvania, causing fear among students and parents while diverting law enforcement and emergency personnel from real emergencies.

Senate Bill 96 is part of a broader effort to safeguard schools and hold bad actors accountable, Baker said.

The bill, which also passed the Senate in the previous legislative session, now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.