The Urban League of Greater Philadelphia & the Black Clergy of Philadelphia Call on Lawmakers to End Federal Shutdown and Pass State Budget
- Devon Brady
- Oct 22
- 3 min read
October 23, 2025
Ongoing stalemate threatens vital housing, education, & health programs across the region
PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Urban League of Greater Philadelphia (ULGP) is urging federal and state lawmakers to immediately end the government shutdown and pass Pennsylvania’s long-delayed budget, citing serious consequences for families, schools, and community programs across the Greater Philadelphia region.
“With every passing day, more Pennsylvanians are feeling the strain,”
said Darrin W. Anderson Sr., PhD, President & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Philadelphia.
“This is not about politics, it’s about people. Families can’t afford delays in food assistance, housing support, and education funding. Lawmakers must act now.”
“Canceling food benefits is a reprehensible and insensitive act that puts needy people in a position of struggle when we all know that access to sufficient nutrition is a basic human necessity”
states Andre Boateng, ULGP Out4Good Reentry Client.
“Being homeless and jobless with no food stamps burdens me greatly. Those funds are vital for someone trying to stay healthy and positive in an already trying situation. Why make things harder for those who already have it harder than most?"
Both the federal shutdown and the state budget impasse have disrupted or will soon halt essential services that thousands of local residents rely on for:
Housing: FHA and VA loans, HUD rental assistance, and subsidized housing payments are stalled.
Health: Medicaid renewals and SNAP (food assistance) funding could lapse by early November, affecting millions statewide.
Education: With the state budget still unresolved, local school districts and early-learning programs risk running out of funds, threatening closures and job losses.
Employment: Federal employees, contractors, and small businesses tied to government contracts face layoffs, furloughs and uncertainty.
“A shutdown is more than political gridlock, it is a direct disservice to hardworking, taxpaying American citizens who expect their government to be fully operational. Our elected officials must rise above partisan stalemates to honor the responsibility they were entrusted with: ensuring that our government serves its people faithfully, consistently, and without interruption”
said Rev. Dr. Wayne M. Weathers, 1st Vice President of Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity.
The ULGP, which has served the region for more than 100 years, continues to inform and assist residents impacted by the crisis while advocating for swift legislative action. The organization is collaborating with community partners, schools, and faith-based groups to ensure Philadelphians stay informed and supported during this critical period.
Call to Action
The ULGP urges lawmakers to put people before politics: end the federal shutdown and pass the Pennsylvania state budget without further delay.
The organization also calls on the public to take action:
Contact your federal representatives at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov to demand an end to the shutdown.
Contact your state legislators at www.legis.state.pa.us to urge swift passage of the state budget.
Visit urbanleaguephila.org for resources during the shutdown.
“Government inaction is not a victimless delay; it’s a direct hit to the communities we serve,” added Darrin W. Anderson. “The Urban League will continue to be a voice for those most affected, until this gridlock ends.”
Food Resources:
In addition to federal workers going without pay, SNAP (and likely WIC) benefits will become unavailable starting in November until Congress reaches a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture decides to release contingency funding for SNAP (neither of which is likely in time to avoid a November benefits disruption). If SNAP benefits are not distributed in November, the effects will be felt immediately. Over 800,000 SNAP recipients in our region will be left without access to the food they need. This is an unprecedented situation, as SNAP benefits have never lapsed before in the history of the program. This will likely cause a surge in demand for the charitable food network, as they will be among the only remaining resources for food assistance.
About the Urban League of Greater Philadelphia The Urban League of Greater Philadelphia is an affiliate of the National Urban League. Our mission is to help Black-Americans and others in historically underserved communities achieve their highest level of social parity, economic self-reliance, power, and civil rights through youth education and job training, housing and community development, workforce development and reentry, entrepreneurship, and health equity. Learn more at urbanleaguephila.org.
About the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity
The Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity, currently led by Bishop J. Louis Felton of Mt. Airy Church of God and Christ, is an organization representing hundreds of congregations and 11 denominations in the region. They address a range of issues affecting the Black community, including violence, education, and economic inequality, and also engage in public advocacy and community projects. Learn more at https://blackclergyphilly.org/
I understand the PolyTrack politics, but it’s unacceptable that programs like SNAP are being disrupted. Will lawmakers consider a temporary solution that doesn’t directly impact needy families?