PHILADELPHIA — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, sued the Trump administration Thursday over its freezing of $5.5 billion in federal funding for the state.

Filed in a U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, the complaint says Congress appropriated the funds for programs providing essential services to Pennsylvania residents, including repairing abandoned mines, plugging abandoned oil and gas wells and helping low-income households lower their utility bills.

What You Need To Know

  • Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Penn., sued the Trump administration Thursday over its freezing of $5.5 billion in federal funding for the state

  • The complaint says Congress appropriated the funds for programs providing essential services to Pennsylvania residents, including repairing abandoned mines, plugging abandoned oil and gas wells and helping low-income households lower their utility bills

  • The state is suing the Department of the Interior and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum; the Environmental Protection Agency and EPA Secretary Lee Zeldin; the Department of Energy and Energy Secretary Chris Wright; the Department of Transportation and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy; and the Office of Management and Budget and OMB director Russell Vought

  • Pennsylvania argues in the suit that the unilateral suspension of federal funds violates the U.S. Constitution

“The Pennsylvania agencies that run these programs have entered into agreements with their federal partners that obligate those funds to Pennsylvania and define the terms of the money’s use,” the complaint said.

The complaint names the Department of the Interior and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum; the Environmental Protection Agency and EPA Secretary Lee Zeldin; the Department of Energy and Energy Secretary Chris Wright; the Department of Transportation and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy; and the Office of Management and Budget and OMB director Russell Vought as defendants.

Spokespeople for the Interior Department and EPA told Spectrum News the agencies do not comment on pending litigation.

Emails to the Energy Department, DOT and OMB seeking comment were not immediately answered.

The complaint says federal agencies, since Jan. 27, have restricted many Pennsylvania agencies from being able to access more than $3.1 billion in funding for grant programs that the state is already obligated to pay through 2026. Those funds include $800 million to invest in clean water infrastructure and $400 million for a program that helps manufacturing companies reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Another $2.69 billion had been appropriated to Pennsylvania for abandoned mine repair between 2027 and 2037 that is now suspended.

The Office of Management and Budget sent a memo Jan. 27 that directed federal agencies to review their grants, loans and other programs to ensure they comply with President Donald Trump’s many executive orders. Before it was scheduled to take effect, on Jan. 28, 23 state attorneys general sued the Trump administration to stop the freeze from taking effect.

While two federal judges have issued temporary restraining orders that require federal agencies to restore the frozen funds, the complaint says Shapiro and members of many Pennsylvania agencies continue to be denied the money.

Pennsylvania argues in the suit that the unilateral suspension of federal funds violates the U.S. Constitution. They are seeking “clear and unequivocal judicial orders… to remedy federal agencies’ unlawful conduct.”