(From a press release)
The Pennsylvania Senate convened Wednesday for the start of the 2025-26 legislative session, highlighted by the swearing-in of new and reelected members. Voters gave Senate Republicans a 28-22 majority in the November 2024 General Election.
The proceedings also included the formal re-election of Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) as senate president pro tempore, as well as a vote on rules to govern the body for the next two years.
“As we kick-off the new two-year legislative session, the Senate Republican Caucus will continue to remain accountable to the people of Pennsylvania by ensuring good, effective, and fiscally responsible legislation is passed,” Ward said. “While we have significant and monumental issues before us, our focus will remain on helping families succeed by cutting bureaucratic red tape, growing our energy portfolio, addressing challenges with our most vulnerable through hospital and nursing home assistance, and reshaping our education system to position all students for success.”
“Today is an exciting day as new and reelected members of our Senate Majority Caucus are sworn into office to represent constituents across our commonwealth,” Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman said. “With the addition of Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr. as the newest member of our leadership team, our caucus is fully organized and ready to get to work. Throughout this new legislative session, we will continue to advance policies and legislation to strengthen our communities, provide for family-sustaining jobs, and ensure Pennsylvania will remain a strong commonwealth for future generations.”
“I appreciate the confidence placed in me by my peers to assume this leadership position and will use it to help further guide the caucus during this legislative session,” Senate Majority Whip Langerholc said. “This legislative session presents a tremendous opportunity to grow our economy, become an energy leader, and invest in our transportation system in a fiscally responsible manner.”
“I am proud of all we have accomplished, but we still face significant challenges in the years ahead,” Senate Appropriations Chair Scott Martin said. “We need a sustainable and responsible state budget. We must advance policies that help reverse Pennsylvania’s economic and demographic decline while helping more young people plant their roots here and build futures here. We need to promote educational opportunities and ensure young people can learn in the environment that best suits their needs. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make all these goals a reality.”
Among the members taking the oath of office were two new Republican senators:· Dawn Keefer (R-Cumberland) and Joe Picozzi (R-Philadelphia)
The Senate Republican leadership team for 2025-26 is: President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland), Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Armstrong), Majority Whip Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-Cambria), Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-Lancaster), Majority Caucus Chair Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), Majority Caucus Secretary Camera Bartolotta (R-Beaver), Majority Caucus Administrator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), and Majority Policy Committee Chair Dave Argall (R-Carbon).
