Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., gave his take on New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s rise and explained his break with the Democratic Party over the government shutdown Wednesday.
Fetterman acknowledged the “very active” progressive wing of his party, pointing to a press conference Wednesday at which Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was interrupted by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who criticized Democrats for not supporting Mamdani.
“It doesn’t really matter much for me,” Fetterman said of Mamdani’s victory, saying his focus is the people of Pennsylvania.
Top Democrats were divided over Mamdani’s success as well, with Schumer, a New Yorker, failing to formally endorse him. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries ultimately did endorse the new mayor-elect.
What did matter to Fetterman was the longest government shutdown in American history, which he said he voted four times to end.
As a “committed Democrat,” Fetterman said he’s fighting for the millions of Americans on SNAP “and the unions that have all been touched by this thing.”
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits were paused Nov. 1, the first time in 60 years the food assistance program has been disrupted due to a government shutdown.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
The Trump administration partially resumed SNAP benefits for November, following court orders that the federal government dip into emergency funds from the Department of Agriculture.
Other parties affected by the shutdown that Fetterman wants to draw attention to include the military, U.S. Capitol police and air traffic controllers.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a 10% reduction in capacity at 40 airspace locations across the country Wednesday after mounting concerns over staffing shortages.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticizes California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s refusal to adhere to an English language rule and describes how his department is handling the government shutdown.
“I wasn’t even able to find a flight here to D.C.,” Fetterman said.
“This thing’s run its course.”
The senator added that it’s a “sad political spectacle,” saying he’s “embarrassed.”
“America deserves better than this right now,” Fetterman said.