Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced that the Trump administration has released over $2 billion in federal aid that was previously withheld. Shapiro, who sued the administration over the frozen funds, stated that the money is now accessible to state agencies. The lawsuit highlighted the delay in distributing funds for various programs, including energy efficiency upgrades, environmental cleanup, and infrastructure projects, which were authorized by laws signed by former President Joe Biden.

Despite the Trump administration’s argument that the fund freeze was a legal “pause” to reevaluate fund usage, Shapiro’s persistence and legal actions led to the release of the aid. The lawsuit named five federal agencies as defendants, including the Office of Management and Budget, the EPA, and the Departments of Interior and Transportation. While the Department of Energy confirmed compliance with court orders, it did not specify if the funds were disbursed as alleged.

Shapiro’s efforts to secure the release of these critical funds underscore the importance of federal aid in supporting essential programs and projects at the state level. The legal battle serves as a testament to the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding the distribution of federal funding and the role of state governments in ensuring its proper allocation.