During an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” the 56-year-old responded to an Axios report that Schumer privately pressured a group of moderate Democrats in mid-October to keep the government closed until at least the beginning of ObamaCare open enrollment Nov. 1.
“I was not in a conversation or I never got any outreach,” said Fetterman, adding that “everyone understood” his position.
“I really kind of led the charge [to keep the government open] back in March. And then I said, ‘I know we’ll be back in September.’ And I said, ‘I know where my vote will be then, too.’
Follow The Post’s live coverage of President Trump and national politics for the latest news and analysis
Fetterman was one of eight Democrats and Democrat-aligned independents who voted Monday night to reopen the government after the longest shutdown in US history, without extracting any concessions from Republicans about extending ObamaCare subsidies past the end of this year.
“It’s always a hard yes to keep our government open,” he explained Tuesday. “I mean, that’s my principle, because it’s wrong to shut our government down. And now we knew that we would put [at risk] those 42 million Americans for SNAP and paying our military and, you know, the Capitol Police. I mean, people have went five weeks without being paid. I mean, that’s a violation of my core values. And I think it’s [a violation of] our party’s [values] as well.”
Asked by co-host Lawrence Jones: “Who is running the show now in the Democratic Party, in the Senate, in the House?”, the Pennsylvanian made a blunt admission.
“No one really knows,” Fetterman said. “My values are reflected in my vote and the things that I support here, and if that might put me at odds with parts of my party, I’m okay with that. I mean, we need to be a … big tent party.”
The shorts-and-sweats-wearing pol hasn’t been shy about his misgivings with elements of the progressive movement, having remained staunchly pro-Israel and wary of the scorched-earth tactics the base wants Democrats to use.
“I think my party crossed a line of now putting 42 American — excuse me, 42 million Americans with — with their SNAP benefits [expiring],” Fetterman said. “And making flying less safe and that kind of chaos and not paying our military. I mean, that was a red line for me that I can’t cross as a Democrat.”
The revised government funding bill approved by the Senate would fund all operations until Jan. 30, 2026, and pay for SNAP, veterans programs, and congressional affairs through Sept. 30. The House is expected to approve it Wednesday.
Fetterman was promoting his new memoir “Unfettered,” which hit bookshelves Tuesday, and chronicles his public service career as well as his struggles with depression.
“For me, you know, my message was very, very simple: if anyone feels lost or they’re in the throes of depression, you know, I beg people, please, please stay in this game, because I promise you — you will get better,” the senator said.
Fetterman was promoting his new memoir “Unfettered,” which hit bookshelves Tuesday, and chronicles his public service career as well as his struggles with depression.
“Three years ago, you know, I was in the depths of that depression, and now I’ve emerged as a [US] senator.”
Advertisement