LIHEAP is a federal program that helps low-income households cover their energy costs. Recently, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced a measure to bridge a gap in November before the regular moratorium on utility shutoffs begins in December.
Historically, Pennsylvania has received more than $215 million every year for LIHEAP. In a statement, Shapiro said, “Last week, I signed a disaster declaration so that Pennsylvanians don’t suffer because Congress can’t do its job. My administration reached out to Pennsylvania’s utility companies and got them to agree to keep the power on for our neighbors so that people are not stranded in the cold as winter comes.”
LIHEAP is potentially poised to become the next political wedge between Democrats and Republicans amid what has become the country’s longest federal government shutdown in history. This shutdown is the result of disputes over pay for military service members and funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and its counterpart for women and children.
Berwood Yost, Director of the Franklin & Marshall College Center for Opinion Research in Pennsylvania, highlighted that Shapiro has announced several initiatives in response to the federal government shutdown, not only for LIHEAP but also for SNAP. “The governor faces reelection in 2026, so I imagine his primary goal for these initiatives is to signal to Pennsylvanians that he understands the hardships the shutdown is creating and that he is trying to do something about it,” Yost told the Washington Examiner. “We saw how significant affordability was as an issue in the last election, and I think he sees this as addressing that issue.”
In line with this, Shapiro has also emphasized his support for recent political efforts like California’s Proposition 50. This constitutional amendment, approved this week, allows Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill and Democratic lawmakers in California to redistrict their congressional districts mid-decade before next year’s midterm elections. The move aims to counteract gerrymandering efforts undertaken by Republican states.
California-based Democratic strategist Garry South observes that “when any governor runs for president, they boast about things they’ve done as governor that they think might appeal to voters,” such as “starting this program” or “expanding that program in their state.” This explains Shapiro’s focus on highlighting his initiatives amid the current political climate.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3877636/josh-shapiro-support-liheap-households-govrnment-shutdown/