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- calendar_today November 8, 2026
Pennsylvania Governor Outlines Priorities for New Democratic Majority
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has called on Democrats to make healthcare and food assistance top priorities as they prepare to take control of Congress in January. Speaking on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” in an interview that aired Sunday, Shapiro addressed the pressing need to address Medicaid and SNAP benefit cuts, emphasizing that these issues should come before considerations of the 2028 elections.
Shapiro Urges Action on Medicaid and SNAP Cuts
Shapiro specifically highlighted the impact of recent cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which were approved during President Donald Trump’s second term. He noted that, in Pennsylvania alone, 510,000 people are losing healthcare coverage and 143,000 more are losing SNAP or food assistance. “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,” Shapiro said during the interview.
Healthcare, Food Assistance Essential for Democratic Agenda
The governor stressed that revitalizing these critical programs must be a leading item on the Democratic agenda. He suggested that Democrats must adopt an aggressive approach that not only aims to lower costs and expand assistance but also creates legislation that meets the needs of ordinary Americans. "Hopefully, [the president] will sign it because it'll be common-sense stuff that makes people's lives better,” Shapiro said, referring to proposed legislative measures.
Calls for Accountability and Legislative Responsiveness
While focusing on healthcare and food assistance, Shapiro also insisted that accountability for the Trump administration must remain on the agenda. He stated that Congress should be responsive to concerns about corruption and provide real accountability for the administration’s actions. “Democrats need to ‘walk and chew gum at the same time’ to pass effective legislation and also ‘have real accountability for the corruption that exists in Washington,’” Shapiro remarked, insisting both priorities must be addressed together.
Future Leadership and Policy Emphasis
According to Shapiro, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who is expected to become the next Speaker of the House, has committed to putting both legislative progress and accountability at the forefront of the House’s agenda for the first 100 days and over the next two years. Shapiro distanced himself from immediate speculation around the 2028 presidential election, saying, “we should be thinking about how to make people’s lives better in 2027.” He maintained that it is Congress’s responsibility to act now and for state governors like himself to continue leading on key issues in their regions.
Shapiro on Prospects and Legislative Priorities
When asked about a potential 2028 presidential run, Shapiro did not confirm any plans, instead focusing on “figuring how we advance policies like raising the minimum wage and many other things that have been blocked by Republicans.” Pennsylvania Democrats recently secured a majority in the state legislature, which Shapiro cited as a key opportunity for policy advancement. He also declined to commit directly to serving his full four-year term, stating his current focus is on fulfilling his role as governor.
Source: nbcnews.com.
