Pennsylvania‘s senators, both Democrats, have withdrawn a request for $1 million in taxpayer money to support a renovation and expansion project for an LGBT center in Philadelphia after federal funds for the organization were blocked in the House last year.
Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) wrote to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday to declare they no longer want an earmark for the William Way LGBT Community Center in spending legislation for the current fiscal year.
“After further review, I am writing to withdraw my support and request the removal of the below Fiscal Year 2024 Congressionally Directed Spending project included in the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill,” the two letters said.
The senators had earlier requested the $1 million for “The William Way Renovation and Expansion Project” which Casey’s letter said would “renovate and expand the existing LGBT Community Center into an inclusive, fully accessible, and welcoming space for all individuals to gather, learn, and find life-giving support.”
Word of the $1 million earmark request getting pulled spread on social media on Tuesday evening. The popular Libs of TikTok account on X, run by Chaya Raichik, posted a screenshot of the letter signed by Fetterman. She noted that it followed the account’s “Exposé” featuring screenshots of advertisements for adults-only events at the center that featured sexually explicit content.
Fetterman released a statement on Wednesday praising the William Way LGBT Community Center but acknowledged his funding request would not make it through the appropriations process. He blamed Republicans.
“The William Way LGBT Community Center has been doing critical work in Philadelphia for decades. I do not believe that we should penalize this center based on events that are entirely legal among consenting adults. I have no problem with what consenting adults do in their private time,” Fetterman said.
“Unfortunately, at the 11th hour my staff was made aware that funding for William Way, which was in the bill because I championed it, would not pass in the FY24 appropriations process. The choice was either to pull it or watch it get stripped out, attacked by Republicans, and ultimately killed. This is not the end of this fight and I am going to fight for William Way to secure their funding in the FY25 appropriations process,” he added. “I’m new here, but I wasn’t aware that Democratic values and priorities are dictated by Libs of TikTok.”
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Congressional leaders announced last week they had reached a deal on several appropriations bills, including the one for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, with the goal of passing them by March 8. Other spending bills to fund other facets of the federal government have a deadline of March 22 thanks to another stop-gap measure.
Rep. Brandon Boyle (D-PA), who represents a district in the Philadelphia area, had also requested the $1 million earmark for the William Way LGBT Community Center. While the request appears in a “Final Table” of community funding projects on the House Appropriations Committee website, an “Updated Table” does not include the item. The same deletion is reflected on the Senate Appropriations Committee website.
As recently as Sunday, Boyle had been celebrating funds for the center that have since disappeared. “House Republicans tried to strip funding I secured for the William Way LGBT Community Center here in Philadelphia,” he posted on X, alluding to a previous $1.8 million earmark that got blocked in committee last year. “I’m happy to announce that their bigotry lost — and that this much-needed funding for the William Way Center was included in the 2024 funding bills released today.”
The Daily Wire reached out to Casey’s office, Boyle’s office, and the William Way LGBT Community Center seeking comment on the withdrawal request.