Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is breaking ranks with his party once again as the Democrat-led government shutdown drags into its 29th day.
The senator is accusing fellow Democrats of endangering food security for millions of Americans.
Democrats have repeatedly refused to reopen the government, blocking more than a dozen GOP-led attempts to fund critical programs.
They continue to demand $1.5 trillion in new partisan spending tied to their healthcare agenda.
In a post on social media, Fetterman said he is “dismayed” that his party is “playing chicken” with food assistance programs and “exposing a vulnerable constituency to widespread deprivation and chaos.”
“As a committed Democrat, I’m dismayed my party is playing chicken with the food security of 42M Americans,” Fetterman wrote.
“I reject a political gamble that exposes a vulnerable constituency to widespread deprivation and chaos.”
As a committed Democrat, I’m dismayed my party is playing chicken with the food security of 42M Americans.
I reject a political gamble that exposes a vulnerable constituency to widespread deprivation and chaos.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) October 28, 2025
“Hungry Americans Over Party”
This is not the first time Fetterman has sounded the alarm over his party’s handling of the shutdown.
On October 22, he urged Democrats to put country before politics.
“Shut our government down and America loses. 2 MILLION Pennsylvanians depend on SNAP to feed their families,” Fetterman said in a video post.
“For me, it’s hungry Americans over party.
“Paying our military over party.
“Paying Capitol Police and federal workers over party.
“I choose country over party.”
WATCH:
Shut our government down and America loses.
2 MILLION Pennsylvanians depend on SNAP to feed their families.
For me, it’s hungry Americans over party.
Paying our military over party.
Paying Capitol Police and federal workers over party.
I choose country over party. pic.twitter.com/JQbGkzYdw8
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) October 22, 2025
Fetterman’s public rebuke comes as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) warns that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, will run out on November 1 if the shutdown continues.
SNAP Funding to End November 1
The USDA posted a stark warning on its website this week, confirming that without congressional action, no new benefits will be distributed at the start of November.
“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” the agency’s notice said.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry.
“At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01.”
“We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats,” the statement continued.
“They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”
Republicans: “Families Will Go Hungry”
Senate Republicans echoed the warning, saying Democrats are deliberately holding up SNAP benefits as leverage in budget negotiations.
“Democrats have blocked SNAP food assistance for 42 million Americans 13 times,” Senate Republicans said in a statement.
“On Saturday, funding runs out completely, and families nationwide will go hungry.
“In their words, they did it to increase their political ‘leverage.’”
Republicans cited recent remarks from Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA), the number two House Democrat, who openly admitted her party is using the shutdown as a political tactic.
“Shutdowns are terrible, and of course, there will be families that are going to suffer,” Clark told Fox News.
“We take that responsibility very seriously.
“But it is one of the few leverage times we have.”
Growing Democrat Fractures
Fetterman’s comments highlight growing fractures within the Democratic Party as the consequences of the shutdown ripple across the country.
With SNAP benefits set to expire and military paydays approaching, moderate Democrats are beginning to voice frustration over what they see as reckless brinkmanship from their leadership.
If no agreement is reached, more than 42 million Americans, including 2 million Pennsylvanians, will lose access to food assistance beginning Saturday, a development that could mark a political breaking point in the Democrat-led standoff.
READ MORE – Obama Demands Crackdown on ‘Polarizing Voices’ on Social Media
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