Senator John Fetterman again criticized members of his own party for criticizing his willingness to break with them and vote with Republicans on different topics.
“I vote a 91% Democratic line, and if Democrats have a problem with somebody that votes 91% of the same times as you are, more than nine out of 10 times, then maybe our party has a bigger problem,” the senator told CBS News.
He was likely referring to the fact that he repeatedly supported ending the government shutdown, voting along Republicans to do it. He took heat from fellow Democrats for being among the eight senators who provided the votes to end the impasse and put an end to the longest government shutdown in history.
Fetterman has already dismissed criticism uttered by high-profile Democrats during the week. Specifically, from Senator Bernie Sanders, who called the deal a “disaster,” and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said the senators who supported the deal are not alarmed enough about President Donald Trump.
Speaking on The View, Fetterman was challenged for his decision and asked why he brought a “butter knife to a gun fight.”
“I don’t need a lecture from Bernie or the governor in California because they are representing very deep blue populations. A lot of those things were part of the extreme. I remember what really is needed for the big win. It is involving my state and other states,” Fetterman said.
Earlier this week he also defended the decision, saying he is “putting country over party.” “Feed everyone. Pay our military, government workers, and Capitol Police. End the chaos in airports,” Fetterman added in a social media publication along with fellow Pennsylvania Senator Dave McCormick, who also supported the agreement.
The deal reached does not include an extension of expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, a major concession from Democrats to end the shutdown. Should the funds lapse, insurance premiums for millions of people would raise. Democrats settled for a promise that a bill on the matter by the second week of December. Its outcome is already uncertain, with House Speaker Mike Johnson saying he wouldn’t promise the vote will take place.
Originally published on Latin Times
