President Donald Trump has appointed Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to the Council of Governors, a bipartisan group focused on enhancing state-federal partnerships in national security, disaster response, and military coordination. The council, established by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 and formalized by Executive Order 13528 in 2010, consists of ten governors, including five Republicans and five Democrats. Governor Shapiro is one of the Democratic members, alongside governors from New York, Maryland, Michigan, and North Carolina.
Meanwhile, Governor Shapiro has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, challenging the freeze of over $1.2 billion in federal funding allocated to Pennsylvania. Despite multiple court orders to release the funds, state agencies remain unable to access the money, which is crucial for initiatives such as reclaiming abandoned mine land and capping orphan wells. Shapiro argues that the freeze is unconstitutional and is taking legal action to restore access to the funds.
The Council of Governors aims to foster collaboration on issues like National Guard operations and cybersecurity partnerships. Each governor serves a two-year term, and the council provides input on federal budgetary considerations. Governor Shapiro's lawsuit seeks to ensure that Pennsylvania can continue its federally approved projects without financial hindrance.