Josh Shapiro Calls on Democrats to Stop Medicaid and SNAP Cuts

Josh Shapiro Calls on Democrats to Stop Medicaid and SNAP Cuts

by

Pennsylvania programs face major cuts

“I hope one of the first things that the Congress does is to stop these Medicaid cuts, stop the SNAP cuts, roll back the cuts, the effective cuts in the Affordable Care Act,” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said during an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday.

Shapiro’s comments come as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress in January, following a midterm election cycle that saw Republicans lose their majority. The Governor is urging the incoming Democratic leadership to center their legislative agenda on essential social safety nets, specifically targeting the impact of policy changes enacted during President Donald Trump’s second term.

The human cost of these policy shifts is particularly visible in Pennsylvania. According to NBC News, the Governor reported that 510,000 people in his state are losing healthcare coverage, while an additional 143,000 residents are losing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to cuts approved during the current administration.

Legislating and oversight in the new Congress

Shapiro argued that the incoming Democratic majority must balance the passage of new laws with the necessity of investigating the current administration. He suggested that lawmakers should not view policy creation and political accountability as mutually exclusive goals.

“I think the Congress needs to be responsive to where voters are on corruption, and there has to be real accountability for this administration,” Shapiro said. He noted that Democrats must “walk and chew gum at the same time” to ensure they are both passing effective legislation and addressing what he termed the corruption existing in Washington.

Josh shapiro dnc chicago ww
Photo: unscrolled.news

“It can’t be either/or. It has to be both/and,” he added.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who is positioned to become the next Speaker of the House, has indicated that both legislative priorities and oversight will be central to the party’s agenda during the first 100 days and throughout the next two years, according to Shapiro.

The Governor’s vision for the Democratic agenda extends beyond healthcare and food assistance. He called for an “aggressive agenda” that focuses on cutting costs and ending international conflicts, expressing hope that President Trump would sign such measures because they represent “common-sense stuff that makes people’s lives better.”

The potential for presidential vetoes

While President Trump has stated he intends to work with Democrats when the new Congress begins, his recent actions have suggested a more combative stance. NBC News reported that the President has been promoting a new hat branded with the word “VETO” following the Republican loss of the majority.

Shapiro warned that if the President chooses to block Democratic legislation, it would serve as a clear message to the electorate. “If Trump chooses to veto Democrats’ legislation, it’s yet another signal to the American people the president actually doesn’t care about their well-being,” Shapiro said.

The tension between the executive and legislative branches sets the stage for a high-stakes start to 2027. While some politicians may already be looking toward the 2028 election cycle, Shapiro argued that the immediate focus must remain on the upcoming year.

“We should be thinking about how to make people’s lives better in 2027,” he said, adding that the responsibility for this work is split between federal lawmakers and state governors.

Shapiro focuses on Pennsylvania duties despite presidential speculation

Shapiro, who has been frequently mentioned by political analysts as a potential contender for the 2028 presidency, declined to commit to a future run. When asked if he was more likely than not to run, he maintained that his current focus remains on his duties in Pennsylvania.

The Governor noted that Pennsylvania Democrats recently won a majority in the state legislature on Tuesday. He expressed a desire to use this momentum to advance policies that have previously been blocked by Republicans, such as raising the minimum wage.

Regarding his commitment to his current role, Shapiro did not explicitly state whether he intends to serve his entire four-year term. “Well, I committed to run for governor, and that’s the work I’m focused on doing,” he said, adding, “And if I’ve got something to say about my future, I’d love to come back on your show and talk about it.”

Keep reading

Read next