Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal is a step closer to becoming reality — but faces fierce opposition from Republican leaders in the state Senate.

House Bill 2400 received the state House’s approval on Tuesday after being passed by the House Appropriations Committee earlier in the day. Five Republican members joined the Democratic majority in passing the bill 107–94.

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, House Majority Appropriations Chairman Jordan A. Harris called the approval an important step in the budget process.

“This legislation reflects the proposal put forward by Gov. Shapiro in February and builds on the work we have diligently done,” Harris said. “Last month, the Appropriations Committee completed three weeks of budget hearings, where we reviewed agency budgets and priorities.”

While the bill has made it out of the House, its fate is now in the hands of the GOP-controlled state Senate.

Pennsylvania Senate leaders issued a statement Tuesday evening, saying that there is plenty of work ahead to craft a budget they would approve of.

“We continue to have profound concerns about the level of spending in the budget proposed by Gov. Shapiro and passed by the House today,” the leaders said in the joint statement. “We will continue to fight for a more fiscally responsible spending plan that better positions our Commonwealth to grow and prosper, without placing unreasonable financial burdens on Pennsylvania families and taxpayers.”

The budget bill passed by the House on Tuesday carries a price tag of $53.3 billion, which would increase state spending by about $2.7 billion compared to the 2025–26 budget passed late last year following a stalemate that lasted several months.

In a conversation with FOX43 in February, Shapiro said that the proposed budget does not raise taxes but makes investments in infrastructure and public schools.

“This budget continues our investment in public education, support for law enforcement and strengthening Pennsylvania’s economy, all while returning money to working families and not raising taxes,” Harris said.