Pennsylvania 2025-26 Legislative Session Begins January 7

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is scheduled to be in session for the first time this year on Tuesday, January 7. This marks the beginning of the new two-year session of the legislature.

The state Constitution requires the Senate and House to convene on the first Tuesday of the year.
Generally, this first day would be largely ceremonial.  Newly elected Senators and House members are to be sworn into office. And the election of the Speaker of the House is a key part of the agenda.

However, some uncertainty currently exists around the question of the election of the Speaker. The results of the General Election last November continued the slim House Democratic majority in that chamber with a one-seat margin (102-101). Late last week it was reported that Rep Matt Gergely (D-McKeesport) had been hospitalized after suffering a serious medical episode over the holidays. It is unclear at this point if Gergely will be able to attend this Tuesday’s session.

Under the rules of the House, either party can require legislators to actually be present on the floor in order to cast votes. If Gergely is not able to attend and legislators vote party line for Speaker-a 101–101 tie would result. The Speaker of the House presides over the House sessions -and also appoints House committees. At this point, it is not clear how this situation will be resolved.

The state Senate has more clarity entering the 2025 – 2026 legislative session. Republicans will retain majority of the chamber which they have held for over 30 years (since 1994) with a 27 – 22 margin. There is one vacant seat of Senator Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) who resigned in December to take a position of U.S. Senator Dave McCormick’s state director. The vacant seat will be filled through a special election in the upcoming months.

In any event, neither the House and Senate are schedules to begin proceeding with legislative business until the end of January.