Harrisburg, PA – May 14, 2026 – The Pennsylvania State Senate, led by a Republican majority, left dozens of bills on the table as they recessed last week for a four-week break.
Several of the bills left on the table would ease the impacts of Trump’s affordability crisis which has led to staggering costs for necessities, skyrocketing housing expenses, dwindling and costly healthcare, and stagnant wages. These circumstances have left far too many Pennsylvanians unable to afford their most basic needs.
“Senate Republican leadership decides how often our chamber convenes, and they have made sure that it is infrequent. Rather than using the time they allot wisely to pass any of the many bills my Democratic colleagues and I have put forth to take pressure off Pennsylvanians’ wallets, Republican leadership sent us back to our districts until June,” said Senator Cappelletti (D-17, Delaware/Montgomery).
The national affordability crisis has impacted Pennsylvanians across several sectors, particularly when it comes to expenses associated with healthcare, food, and housing and utilities:
- Twelve Pennsylvania hospitals are at risk of closure due to Medicaid cuts—a direct impact of the Republican federal spending bill. The list of at-risk hospitals includes two in District 17: Valley Forge Medical Center, and Suburban Community Hospital.
- Approximately 145,000 Pennsylvanians dropped healthcare coverage with Pennie earlier this year due to skyrocketing premiums. Premiums rose after Republicans in Congress refused to extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, which kept marketplace insurance costs affordable.
- One in eight Pennsylvanians can’t feed themselves or their families, with around half of Pennsylvanians living paycheck to paycheck.
- More than 233,000 Pennsylvanians, as of April 8, utilized assistance through Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 Low-Income Energy Assistance Program to cover the cost of their heating bills. Trump’s government shutdown delayed the program’s opening this past year, and his administration has proposed slashing funding for the program in next year’s budget, despite its success.
“Senate Democrats have remained laser focused on raising pay and easing the pain of Trump’s Affordability Crisis. We have put forth popular, bipartisan legislation that will put money directly into the pockets of hardworking families. The House sent us a budget vehicle weeks ago, and we remain committed to working with all parties on budget negotiations,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-43, Allegheny) and Senate Democratic Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes (D-7, Philadelphia/Montgomery) on the final May 6 session day. “But what have Senate Republicans done with these bills? Absolutely nothing, as they often do.”
The Senate is not scheduled to reconvene until June 1 at 1:00 p.m.
“While our neighbors are fighting just to put food on the table, the president is boasting that he ‘doesn’t think about Americans’ financial situations’ and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are bickering over policing youth athletes’ bodies. Pennsylvanians: you deserve better leadership than you’re getting,” said Senator Cappelletti. “Know that I am committed to advancing policies that actually make this Commonwealth a place you can afford to call home. I will keep up that fight no matter what.”
Learn more about Pennsylvania Senate Democrats’ Affordability Action Plan.
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