Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) on Friday criticized his fellow Democrats for repeatedly voting against legislation to reopen the government — a move that has put aid programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at risk.
Democrats have held firm to their demands for an extension of health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in exchange for support on the GOP-led continuing resolution. Now, 32 days since funding lapsed, frustrations are growing on both sides of the aisle.
“Americans are not leverage,” Fetterman told CNN’s Manu Raju, a day before SNAP benefits were set to lapse. “This is not some sh—y gameshow about who’s winning or whatever.”
“It’s just like, we have to be better than this and just open this up,” he added.
The Pennsylvania senator — who has rebuffed claims he may switch parties — has remained critical of party leaders who have urged Democrats to vote against the stopgap bill. He listed concerns for his constituents and the broader wave of U.S. citizens that are impacted by the shutdown as reasons to support the House GOP’s “clean” continuing resolution (CR).
“It’s an absolute failure what occurred here the past month,” he said, as SNAP funding was expected to lapse Saturday and health care premiums are likely to rise due to the expiring ACA tax credits. “And now things are really going to land.”
Fetterman continued, “And imagine being a parent with a couple kids, and how you’re going to fill their refrigerator, and pack their lunches, and get on with their lives when the things that they depended on now is gone because we can’t even agree to open things up.”
The Senate has failed 13 times to reach the 60-vote threshold to advance the CR and fund the government.
President Trump on Thursday urged Republicans in the upper chamber to abolish the filibuster requirement and push through the bill with a simple majority.
“It is now time for the Republicans to play their ‘TRUMP CARD,’ and go for what is called the Nuclear Option — Get rid of the Filibuster, and get rid of it, NOW!” the president posted on Truth Social.
However, those in the upper chamber warned against such a massive change.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said his support for the filibuster remained “unchanged” despite the president’s demand. Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) also said he’s a “firm no” on eliminating the rule.
“The filibuster forces us to find common ground in the Senate. Power changes hands, but principles shouldn’t,” Curtis posted.
While Senate Republicans continue to mull over policy maneuvers to reopen the government, Fetterman said earlier this month that the lapse in funding should have a simple fix.
“I follow country, then party,” Fetterman told an audience at the Kennedy Center during NewsNation’s live town hall.
“I would love to have a conversation on health care [subsidies],” he added later. “But [the shutdown] is wrong for the country … I can’t vote for shutting the government down.”
