Let’s celebrate the Keystone State’s contributions to America 250 – It all started in Philadelphia!
PHILADELPHIA – May 5, 2026 − With the U.S. Semiquincentennial less than two months away, the Pennsylvania State Senate held a ceremonial gathering honoring America’s 250th birthday at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward presided over the meeting, which included senators representing all corners of the commonwealth and students from across the state as part of a partnership with America250PA. Patrick Burns, chair of America250PA, outlined the statewide activities planned to take place leading up to and during the semiquincentennial, and the U.S. Army Field Band Chamber Ensemble performed during the ceremony.
The U.S. declared its independence in Philadelphia in 1776 and to this day the Keystone State continues to play a major role in the growth and evolution of our nation. The ceremonial gathering of the Pennsylvania State Senate is a historical tradition. Today marks the fourth meeting in the last 100 years that has taken place outside of the State Capitol in Harrisburg. The previous three meetings were also held in Philadelphia to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the signing of Declaration of Independence in 1926 and the 200th anniversary of the Declaration’s signing in 1976. The Pennsylvania State Senate held a similar gathering in September 1987 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.
President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39)
“A nation was born in the City of Brotherly Love, and as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it is only fitting that the Pennsylvania State Senate gather in the very birthplace of our country — and of this institution, which first convened here in 1791. This meeting marks just the fourth time in the past century that the Senate has assembled in Philadelphia outside of the State Capitol in Harrisburg. Today, we are not only honoring history — we are making it. May we be inspired by those who stood here before us, whose courage and vision continue to guide the work we do each day on behalf of the people of this commonwealth.”
Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41)
“Two and a half centuries ago, our Founding Fathers gathered in Philadelphia to give rise to the United States of America. After 250 years, this grand experiment has allowed our country to become, as President Ronald Reagan described it, the shining city on a hill. I’m proud to work with my colleagues in the Pennsylvania Senate as we strive to preserve the freedoms and opportunities that continue to strengthen our commonwealth. Our nation’s 50 states, while each strong in their own right, come together to make America a beacon of hope for the rest of the world.”
Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-43)
“It is a profound honor to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial with my colleagues in the Pennsylvania Senate in the place where America’s democracy began. Pennsylvania has a long, proud tradition of leading the way in delivering the American dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As the leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus, I look forward to continuing to honor the legacies of the leaders who came before us by working towards these goals every day in the Senate, ensuring that these truths and freedoms are the lived reality of every Pennsylvanian. I am so grateful for the partnership of America250PA in marking this momentous occasion.”
Video from today’s Pennsylvania Senate ceremonial gathering in Philadelphia is available here.
HARRISBURG, PA – May 4, 2026 − Today, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa filed discharge petitions for House Bill 462 and House Bill 464, which both open a Window to Justice for adult survivors of child sex abuse. Both bills passed the House of Representatives in June of 2025 with broad bipartisan consensus.
In urging swift action in opening a Window to Justice, Senator Costa releases the following statement:
“Due to Senate Republican inaction on Window to Justice legislation, Senate Democrats filed discharge petitions to move two Window to Justice bills out of committee and onto a full Senate vote. Further delaying justice to over a thousand adults who were abused as children is wrong. For years, Senate Democrats have fought for healing and support for adults who suffered sexual abuse. But time and again, Senate Republicans have chosen to drag their feet and play cheap political games instead. While a devastating clerical error thwarted our efforts to open a Window to Justice in the past, we cannot abandon the survivors who have bravely shared their stories in their yearslong quest for accountability, healing, and relief. We are calling on Senate Republicans to help us right this wrong.”
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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HARRISBURG, PA – April 29, 2026 − Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Louisiana v. Callais, holding that a plaintiff alleging race-based discrimination under the Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 will be successful only if they can prove that there was a “strong inference of intentional discrimination” by the State and using an impossible legal test for any future plaintiff to meet in doing so.
In response, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following statement:
“The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus has stood for fair, free elections that empower all Americans to elect leaders who share their values. As we celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial, we are reminded of the struggles of communities of color, who organized for decades for inclusion in our political processes, maps that recognize their equal right to elect a representative of their choice, and protection from actors seeking to erase them entirely. Today’s decision deals a tragic blow to the Voting Rights Act and the legal protections it afforded to the voting power of racial minorities. Our caucus will continue the difficult, necessary work of supporting every Pennsylvanian, of every race, ethnicity, background, and creed, to secure representation that reflects the diversity that we treasure so dearly as Americans.”
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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HARRISBURG, PA – April 27, 2026 − The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today filed an amicus brief in support of the City of Philadelphia urging the Third Circuit Court of Appeals to require the National Park Service to fully restore and maintain the exhibits commemorating the lives of the enslaved persons at the President’s House Site.
In February, U.S. District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe ordered the National Park Service to fully restore and maintain the slavery exhibits as the underlying lawsuit continued to work its way through the court system. The National Park Service appealed the injunction to the Third Circuit.
The brief focuses on the irreparable harms to be suffered if the Third Circuit does not uphold the District Court’s preliminary injunction in its entirety.
On behalf of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following statement:
“The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus is proud to affirm that the full, truthful history of our nation, even those parts that are uncomfortable, does not change depending on who occupies the Oval Office. In filing today’s brief, our members stand on the side of truth and the visibility of Black history in the public square, particularly as we approach the Semiquincentennial. It is our obligation as patriotic Americans to face our past, not shy away from it, and embrace a telling of the American story that emphasizes the struggle of countless communities as they fought to be included in our commitment to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We look forward to continuing our work of defending our history, as the truth is on our side.”
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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HARRISBURG, PA – In response to State Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s letter stating her refusal to approve funds for security upgrades to Governor Shapiro’s residence, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa offers the following statement on behalf of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus:
“It is unconscionable that Treasurer Garrity has refused to release funding that would ensure the safety and security of the Governor and his family. Playing games with the lives of the Shapiro family for cheap political points is behavior wholly unbecoming of the Treasurer, especially in light of the April 2025 assassination attempt on the Governor’s household during Passover. The security recommendations made by the Pennsylvania State Police are, unfortunately, profoundly necessary as political violence continues to plague our public discourse, and the Treasurer’s disregard for the prevention of future violence is downright shameful. We cannot and must not make campaign fodder of our leaders’ lives and the lives of their families, regardless of party or upcoming elections. A lone public official’s attempt to usurp authority over the Ethics Act, overturn decisions of the State Ethics Commission as she sees fit, and bend state law to her will sets a very dangerous precedent. Multiple state officials have determined that these security expenditures were lawful at this point. This decision is a disgrace, and we condemn it fully.”
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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HARRISBURG, PA − April 21, 2026 − Today, members of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus were joined by Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis to hold a press conference in the Main Capitol Rotunda to kick off their Affordability Action Plan, which highlights legislation and budget items meant to support working families weathering President Trump’s affordability crisis.
Over the course of the press conference, Senate Democrats drew attention to elements of Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal, delivered on February 3, as well as a series of bills that would bring down costs and expand economic opportunities for Pennsylvanians. Members spoke on key areas impacting the wallets of families, including housing, wages, healthcare, food assistance, transit, and childcare.
“Our message today is clear: Senate Democrats are ready to enact commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will put money back in the pockets of Pennsylvania’s families,” said Senator Costa.“By kicking off our Affordability Action Plan, Senate Democrats are leading the way on delivering meaningful solutions to the affordability crisis facing working families. I look forward to continuing this fight to bring down costs and raise wages, and I urge everyone to join us.”
“Pennsylvania’s economy is growing, and we’re creating more jobs, but Governor Shapiro and I are doing it in spite of what’s happening in Washington,” said Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis. “And we see how working families, seniors and small businesses are struggling, under the weight of rising costs. That’s why the Shapiro-Davis Administration is putting more money back in your pockets. Last year we delivered more than $450 million in tax relief for seniors and working families, and there’s more on the way this year. We could not have gotten that done without the partnership and support of Senate Democrats. But there’s so much more we need to do – to help those Pennsylvanians who need it most.”
Senate Democrats highlighted the following legislation:
The entire Senate Democratic Caucus’s Affordability Action Plan, including today’s press conference and additional legislative initiatives, is available at PASenate.com/Affordability.
Statement from Senator James Andrew Malone:
“It’s time to reward hard work by making sure the people who do it can afford good lives. I’m proud to introduce new legislation to help reduce the cost of childcare by expanding the Employer Childcare Contribution Tax Credit alongside my colleagues’ initiatives that also focus on cutting costs for families.”
Statement from Senator Lindsey Williams:
“Universal School Meals not only helps students be prepared to learn – it also lowers grocery prices for everyone. When students eat breakfast and lunch at school – families save. And as families buy less at the store, prices drop for everyone. SB180 is a win for students and a win for anyone shopping for groceries. This is the kind of investments that the legislature should be making in this year’s budget to make the lives of all Pennsylvanians more affordable.”
Statement from Senator Nick Miller:
“We have heard clearly from Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth: the cost of daily life is too high. Families can no longer afford to wait. It is our responsibility to respond with solutions by implementing a comprehensive energy plan to lower utility costs, investing in housing to increase supply and lower costs, and making sure every family has a fair shot to live comfortably and build a future in their own community.”
Statement from Senator Tina Tartaglione:
“Wages are central to affordability. With costs going up and the minimum wage still stuck at $7.25, too many full-time workers are struggling to get by. The House has passed a bill to get us to a $15 minimum wage, and now the Senate must act. Pennsylvania’s workers can’t afford to wait any longer.”
Statement from Senator Art Haywood:
“Affordability is about dignity; food on the table, care within reach, and a stable home. In the face of devastating federal cuts, Senate Democrats stand with the Shapiro-Davis proposed budget to protect our neighbors and help communities thrive.”
Downloadable footage of today’s press conference and still photography is available upon request.
Learn more about the PA Senate Democrats’ commitment to every Pennsylvanian here.
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