U.S. forces hit 140 Iranian targets Saturday with fresh strikes Sunday amid a Strait of Hormuz dispute, prompting Senate Democrats to threaten to block the $1.14 trillion NDAA over the unauthorized war as Congress returns today.

Speaker Mike Johnson wants the House Budget Committee to settle a reconciliation framework within days and possibly pass it on the floor this week, with Trump seeking $350 billion and just 24 legislative days left before the midterms.

Shapiro signs $50.8B state budget, 12 days late for fifth straight year

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a $50.8 billion FY2026-27 budget Sunday evening, 12 days past the constitutional deadline; Senate Republicans cut more than $1.1 billion from his $53.3 billion request, avoiding any Rainy Day Fund withdrawal.

General Assembly passes HB 1505 to implement budget's education investments

The House and Senate passed HB 1505, sponsored by Rep. Liz Hanbidge (D-Montgomery), enacting the 2026-27 budget's education spending and expanding access to early childhood education across Pennsylvania.

Cognetti, Stelson post big Q2 hauls in top PA House flip targets

Democrat Paige Cognetti raised about $2 million (roughly $3.3 million cash) challenging Rep. Rob Bresnahan in PA-08, while Janelle Stelson raised nearly $2 million (about $4.5 million cash) against Rep. Scott Perry.

2 bill(s) debated

House agreed to read, considered, and passed the bill with a majority vote.

House passed the bill, which sets solar energy decommissioning requirements, without amendment after three days of consideration.

2 bill(s) debated

Senate voted to pass the bill with amendments, returning it to the House for concurrence.

Senator Kiefer opposed the bill, citing lack of transparency, fiscal concerns, and negative impacts on various programs.

Signed in Senate, July 12, 2026 [MONITOR]

PA General Assembly In app →

Second consideration, July 12, 2026 [MONITOR]

PA General Assembly In app →

Re-reported as amended, July 11, 2026 [MONITOR]

PA General Assembly In app →

(Remarks see House Journal Page ....), July 12, 2026 (keyword: transmission)

PA General Assembly In app →

Amended in House Committee on APPROPRIATIONS, July 11, 2026 (keyword: transmission)

PA General Assembly In app →

(Remarks see House Journal Page ....), July 12, 2026 (keywords: solar, solar energy)

PA General Assembly In app →

House · Bill On Concurrence (keywords: data center, data centers)

Senate · Third Consideration (keywords: data center, data centers)

Energy and environmental groups say the $50.8 billion budget includes only three minor data-center provisions and no moratorium even as PA households face reported 20%-plus electric bill increases, while PJM's real-time RTO price sat at $23.74/MWh with load near 98.6 GW against a 140.4 GW forecast peak.

A legislative scorecard found the PA House passed roughly 20 proposals this session to lower energy costs and boost electric generation, but the Senate took no action, so none reached the final budget as data-center demand climbs.

A 10-run fourth inning powered Pittsburgh past Milwaukee 14-5 Sunday for a three-game sweep; Paul Skenes (8-8) won his second straight, allowing two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings as the Pirates (50-47) reached the All-Star break above .500 for the first time since 2016.

Pittsburgh reports to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe on July 28 for its first training camp in two decades without Mike Tomlin, with the third-quarterback battle between veteran Mason Rudolph and Will Howard among the top storylines under new head coach Mike McCarthy.