Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is standing by his decision to join Republicans in ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
In a Tuesday interview, Fetterman said that Democratic Party leadership pushed the fight too far and put millions of Americans at risk.
“I think my party crossed a line,” Fetterman said on “Fox & Friends.”
The Democrat-led shutdown, now at 42 days, has threatened SNAP benefits for millions, left thousands of federal workers without pay, and disrupted air travel nationwide.
Fetterman said those consequences, not partisan pressure, guided his decision.
“That was a red line for me that I can’t cross as a Democrat,” he added.
Eight Democrats Join GOP to Break Stalemate
The stalemate ended Monday night when eight members of the Senate Democratic caucus, including Fetterman, voted with Republicans to advance a funding deal crafted by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD).
The Senate approved the bill, which funds most of the government through January.
The House could vote on the package as early as Wednesday.
“That’s been described as country over the party,” Fetterman said.
“That’s been the truth throughout it, and it’s only wrong to shut our government down.”
He described himself as “relieved” after the vote passed.
In return for Democrat support, Republicans agreed to hold a vote by mid-December on extending healthcare tax credits.
Democrats had refused to advance any funding bill without a commitment to vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire in 2025.
Democrats Turn on Schumer
The vote has exposed deep division inside the Democratic Party, with several members openly calling for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to step aside.
Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) have publicly rebuked Schumer’s leadership.
“Sen. Schumer has failed to meet this moment and is out of touch with the American people,” Tlaib wrote Monday on X.
“The Democratic Party needs leaders who fight and deliver for working people.
“Schumer should step down.”
Asked about the party’s direction, Fetterman said there is widespread uncertainty.
“No one really knows,” he 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 OK with that.
“I mean, we need to be a big party, a big tent party.”
Fetterman, who has increasingly positioned himself as a more moderate member of the caucus, made clear he stands by his decision.
He said he has “no regrets” about siding with Republicans to reopen the government.
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