Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman took a sharp turn away from his party on Friday, openly criticizing Democratic leadership for a continued partial government shutdown that he claims prioritizes political maneuvering over the lives of federal employees.
As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown hits its 35th day, critical agencies like the TSA, FEMA, and Customs and Border Protection have been forced into emergency protocols, leaving thousands of workers without pay during a peak travel season.
Appearing on “The Record with Greta Van Susteren,” Fetterman highlighted his position as the lone Democrat to vote in favor of reopening the government.
He argued that withholding DHS funding to force reforms in agencies like ICE is a misplaced strategy that punishes the workforce without achieving direct policy changes. “I was the only Democrat through this entire thing to refuse to shut our government down. This is wrong,” Fetterman said.
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He noted that while wanting to reform ICE is a “reasonable” conversation, the current stalemate has no direct impact on those goals and is instead causing “long lines at airports nationwide.”
The Senator also linked the funding lapse to broader public safety concerns, citing a recent incident in Michigan where a man with alleged ties to Hezbollah drove a truck carrying explosives into a synagogue.
Fetterman pointed out that the shutdown affects not only airport security but also the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure. “All of DHS is shut down… that’s also our cybersecurity agency,” he warned, suggesting the lapse creates unnecessary vulnerabilities.
The gridlock in the Senate continued Friday as a vote to end the shutdown failed 47-37, falling well short of the 60 votes required. Most Democrats have remained united in blocking DHS funding until their proposed changes to ICE and CBP are adopted.
Fetterman, however, suggested his colleagues are “afraid of their base” and should instead focus on basic governance.
During his remarks, Fetterman also defended his recent vote for DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, a move that has drawn fire from within his own party.
“I know I’ve been taking some heat from voting for him, but again, he’s a good guy and he’s someone that I can work with,” Fetterman said. He concluded by calling for an immediate end to the impasse: “Let’s just reopen DHS, pay everybody, stop all these lines and make our nation more secure.”
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