---
title: "Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro Outlines Priorities for Upcoming Congress"
url: https://newscentral.site/pennsylvania-governor-josh-shapiro-outlines-priorities-for-upcoming/
language: en
publisher: "News Central Site"
section: "Politics"
published: 2026-11-08T14:00:40.000Z
updated: 2026-11-09T01:23:27.128Z
id: f244e991-9e0d-443d-ab99-f1f864302d76
source: "NBC News Politics https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/gov-josh-shapiro-urges-democrats-prioritize-healthcare-food-assistance-rcna608060"
attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/pennsylvania-governor-josh-shapiro-outlines-priorities-for-upcoming/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro Outlines Priorities for Upcoming Congress

Governor Shapiro emphasized the need to address healthcare and food assistance, highlighting the devastating impact of recent cuts on vulnerable populations in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has expressed his hopes for the upcoming Congress, urging Democrats to prioritize crucial issues when they take control in January.

Governor Shapiro emphasized the need to address healthcare and food assistance, highlighting the devastating impact of recent cuts on vulnerable populations. He pointed out that in Pennsylvania alone, a staggering 510,000 people are losing access to healthcare, while an additional 143,000 individuals will no longer receive SNAP or food assistance due to these reductions.

Shapiro specifically mentioned the need to reverse Medicaid and SNAP cuts, as well as roll back changes to the Affordable Care Act.

Shapiro emphasized that Democrats should not abandon their efforts to hold the Trump administration accountable for its policies, despite any potential willingness from the former President to work with them.

The governor stressed that revitalizing Medicaid and SNAP programs is crucial, but it's not an either/or situation - rather, a multifaceted approach that requires addressing various issues simultaneously. Shapiro urged Democrats to stay focused on making progress in 2027, rather than getting ahead of themselves by thinking about the next election cycle.

Shapiro also cautioned against prioritizing electoral politics over governance, saying it's up to Congress and governors like him to lead the way in their respective states, focusing on improving people's lives in the short term.

Shapiro's response to questions about a potential presidential run was characteristically cautious, leaving his future ambitions unclear. Despite being mentioned as a possible candidate for 2028, he emphasized that his focus is on advancing key policies such as raising the minimum wage.

His attention remains fixed on state-level issues, particularly those blocked by Republican opposition, now that Pennsylvania Democrats have secured a majority in the state Legislature. Shapiro's commitment to serving out his full term as governor was similarly ambiguous, with him instead highlighting his current role and responsibilities. His dedication to governance appears unwavering.

---
Source: [NBC News Politics](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/gov-josh-shapiro-urges-democrats-prioritize-healthcare-food-assistance-rcna608060)  
Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/pennsylvania-governor-josh-shapiro-outlines-priorities-for-upcoming/