News about the federal government from Spotlight PA(Page 2) • Spotlight PA

FINAL HOURS!

We're $4,660 from our March Member Drive goal and our DOUBLE match expires in 48 hours. Hurry a gift now »

Skip to main content

News

Economy
Elections
Environment
Events
Health
How Harrisburg Works
Justice System
Local Government
Penn State
Rural Issues
State Capitol
More Topics
Archives

Newsletters

PA Post
The Investigator
PA Local
Good Day, Berks
Penn State Alerts
Talk of the Town

About

Our Mission
Meet the Team
Board of Directors
Spotlight PA Partners
Impact
Berks County
Careers
Mobile Apps
Contact
Send a Tip
Advertise With Us

Donate

Ways to Give
Manage Your Membership
How We're Funded
Leaders in Action
Spotlight PA Store

Newsletters Donate Search

Journalism that Gets Results ℠

Investigations
State College
Berks County
About
Events

Main content

Federal Government

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Over $1B in disaster recovery funds is being held up by a Kristi Noem policy, including $2.6M for Pa.

by Anna Kramer of NOTUS and Torrence Banks of NOTUS

Noem’s requirement that she personally approve all Department of Homeland Security-funded projects over $100,000 has created a long queue.

BCA officers work on the scene where Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer yesterday, in Minneapolis, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.

Filming law enforcement is a tool for accountability. It’s also under attack.

by Jade Lozada and Emily Kennard of NOTUS

The killing of Alex Pretti showed the dangers of filming law enforcement in America. It also showed how vital it is for accountability.

People walk past locations of the now removed explanatory panels that were part of an exhibit on slavery.

Philadelphia sues Trump admin over removal of slavery exhibit at former George Washington residence

by Associated Press

The exhibit included the names and other biographical details about the nine people enslaved by the Washingtons at the presidential mansion.

A data center owned by Amazon Web Services, front right, is under construction next to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Berwick, Pa., on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2024.

Utility and AI interests are spending millions lobbying Congress, Trump to support data center boom

by Samuel Larreal, Shifra Dayak, and Jade Lozada of NOTUS

Lobbying disclosures show tech, utility, and other companies spent big last year to score favorable treatment from federal lawmakers and regulators.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to promote investment in rural health care in the East Room of the White House, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in Washington.

Shapiro backs plan with Trump admin to slow rising electricity prices amid data center surge

by Anna Kramer of NOTUS

Shapiro traveled to Washington to sign a document with Trump administration officials urging significant changes to the way that the grid is managed for 13 mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states.

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D., Pa.)

DOJ launches probe of Pa.’s Houlahan, other Dems who directed military members to not follow illegal orders

by Amelia Benavides-Colón of NOTUS

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and three other Democrats said they were asked to sit for interviews with a U.S. attorney. It is unclear what crime the lawmakers are suspected of violating.

PA Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (center, rear) is framed by Rep. Brett Guthrie (left) and Rep. Jason Smith (right) at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.

Congressional Republicans don’t agree on an affordability platform — or on how to pass one

by Jade Lozada and Violet Jira of NOTUS

Conservative House Republicans unveiled a proposal Tuesday for a second reconciliation package. Some moderate GOP lawmakers pointed to bipartisan bills instead.

The U.S. Capitol

US House Republicans push back against Trump’s Venezuela plans behind closed doors

by Oriana González of NOTUS

In a classified briefing last week, House Republicans expressed wariness and concern over the Trump administration’s plans for the South American country.

John Fetterman participates in a debate in Boston in 2025.

Fetterman open to armed US intervention in Iran, while GOP defers to Trump

by Hamed Ahmadi and Helen Huiskes of NOTUS

Republican senators who were quick to cheer the president’s Venezuela operation were largely more cautious on Iran, saying they’d like to learn more.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie speaks at a Trump campaign rally in 2024.

Swing-district Republicans navigate Trump's Venezuela push amid economic concerns

by Riley Rogerson and Oriana González of NOTUS

Pa. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, a top 2026 target, is among Republicans who argue foreign policy and the economy are enmeshed issues.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick during a news conference in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022.

Trump tariffs, Venezuela actions draw ire of GOP critics worried about congressional authority

by Riley Rogerson of NOTUS

Concerned about maintaining legislative power, some Republican members of Congress are more openly criticizing the president.

Dan Albaugh, a third-generation logger, drives away from a logging site in the Allegheny National Forest near Howe Township.

The battle for the heart — and health — of the Allegheny National Forest

by Abigail Hakas of Pittsburgh Media Partnership Newsroom

Proponents and critics of logging rarely agree on the impacts of timber harvesting on wildfire risk, biological diversity, and pests and disease.

Bert Sarginger operates a machine that can cut and load logs onto a truck bed on a logging site in the Allegheny National Forest.

What’s at stake for Pa.’s only national forest as Trump admin considers rescinding anti-logging rule

by Abigail Hakas of Pittsburgh Media Partnership Newsroom

A spokesperson for the Allegheny National Forest said the impact would not be felt locally, but some advocates remain skeptical.

PA Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (center, rear) is framed by Rep. Brett Guthrie (left) and Rep. Jason Smith (right) at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.

Pennsylvania Republican Brian Fitzpatrick becomes Democrats' key ally in House health care fight

by Avani Kalra of NOTUS

Fitzpatrick has been at the center of several major efforts this year to circumvent Speaker Mike Johnson.

A Giant grocery store in Pennsylvania.

SNAP is now a key part of Democrats’ campaign messaging

by Raymond Fernández of NOTUS

Republicans expanded work requirements, tightened eligibility, and shifted more administrative costs to the states.

Pa. U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick speaks at a 2022 news conference.

Pa. Rep. Fitzpatrick leads move to force US House vote on extending Obamacare subsidies

by Oriana González of NOTUS, Daniella Diaz of NOTUS, and Em Luetkemeyer of NOTUS

The move came hours after the House speaker gave GOP lawmakers a list of options to address health care costs that did not include extending the tax credits.

President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House on Sept. 22, 2025.

Trump launches tour defending his economic policies amid rising cost concerns

by Jasmine Wright of NOTUS, Violet Jira of NOTUS, and Avani Kalra of NOTUS

Ahead of the midterms, the president faces increasing pressure to drive down inflation and reverse tumbling approval ratings.

Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) leaves the chamber as the Senate holds a procedural vote on July 24, 2025.

Critics, former staffers mull future of Fetterman’s Senate seat

by Ursula Perano of NOTUS and Avani Kalra of NOTUS

The freshman senator seems to be leaving all doors open, insiders told NOTUS: reelection, retirement, and even a long-shot run for president.

U.S. Reps. Chrissy Houlahan and Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania.

Democratic lawmakers who urged troops to reject illegal orders say FBI is targeting them

by Amelia Benavides-Colón and Jose Pagliery of NOTUS

“President Trump is using the FBI as a tool to intimidate and harass Members of Congress,” lawmakers, including two from Pa., said.

U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan at a campaign rally for President Donald Trump in August 2024.

Trump’s plan to cut homelessness programs is getting pushback from Republicans

by Raymond Fernández of NOTUS

U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania signed a letter urging the Trump administration to extend the current structure.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outside the West Wing of the White House, in October 2025.

Trump administration threatens to withhold $75M from Pennsylvania over immigrant truck drivers

by Associated Press

The Shapiro admin said the federal government didn't identify a single commercial driver’s license issued to someone who wasn't eligible.

President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House on Sept. 22, 2025.

Trump says Democrats' video message to military is 'seditious behavior' punishable by death

by Associated Press

Lawmakers with military backgrounds, including Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pa., urged U.S. military members to uphold the Constitution and defy “illegal orders.”

A Central Bucks School District high school student waiting for a 2022 board meeting to begin.

Democrats say culture war fatigue helped them flip Pa. school board seats

by Avani Kalra of NOTUS

Central Bucks, located in a county with a Republican congressman, was part of a larger Democratic sweep of school board elections across the country this November.

John Fetterman during his time as Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman hospitalized after fall in Pa.

by Tyler Spence of NOTUS

It’s the latest in a long saga of health issues for Fetterman, including his major stroke during his 2022 campaign for U.S. Senate.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., top row from left, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and bottom row from left, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.

John Fetterman among the 8 Democrats who voted with Republicans on the government shutdown deal. Here's how they explain it.

by Associated Press

Fetterman has criticized Democrats for using the shutdown to demand concessions on health care.

← Newer Older →

Upcoming Events

Booklight PA: An intimate look at small-town, Appalachian life in ‘Sidle Creek’

Apr 30

Sign up for PA Post to understand what's happening across PA - in less than five minutes a day.

Email address

About

Our Mission
Meet the Team
Board of Directors
Spotlight PA Partners
Impact
Berks County
Careers
Mobile Apps
Contact
Send a Tip
Advertise With Us

News

Economy
Elections
Environment
Events
Health
How Harrisburg Works
Justice System
Local Government
Penn State
Rural Issues
State Capitol
More Topics
Archives

Newsletters

PA Post
The Investigator
PA Local
Good Day, Berks
Penn State Alerts
Talk of the Town

Ways to Give
Manage Your Membership
How We're Funded
Leaders in Action
Spotlight PA Store

Follow Us

iOS App
Android App
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Flipboard
Apple News
Google News
Github

© 2026 Spotlight PA.
This site is powered by Netlify

Terms of use Privacy policy

Search

Search