Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has declared that his fellow Democrats should “own the shutdown” as the government closure enters its second month.
Fetterman argues that the Democrats must acknowledge that the party bears responsibility for the ongoing stalemate that has left millions of Americans without federal food assistance.
During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper, Fetterman was asked about the lapse of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on November 1.
The lapse cut off benefits for roughly 42 million Americans, including two million Pennsylvanians.
Tapper framed the issue as a political standoff between the White House and the Trump administration, asking Fetterman who he believed was to blame.
“As you know, 42 million Americans, including two million Pennsylvanians, will not receive food stamps or SNAP benefits this month because funding officially lapsed yesterday,” Tapper said.
“The White House says this is the fault of Democrats for shutting down the government.
“Democrats note that the Trump administration is not dipping into the contingency funds for SNAP, and they think that Trump is doing that to pressure Democrats.
“How do you see it? Who do you blame for this?”
Fetterman responded by expressing concern over the millions of Americans facing food insecurity.
He continued by conceding that Democrats were responsible for the closure.
“And again, I feel like the Democrats really need to own the shutdown,” Fetterman said.
“I mean, we’re shutting it down.
“I know why they claim — because they want to address the tax credits, and I fully support that.
“I voted for all of their CRs, our CRs, every single time.
“And I refuse to put 42 million Americans in the kinds of food insecurity. …
“All is solved by just reopen[ing] our government, and the people are now paid.”
The Pennsylvania senator said he was frustrated by the impact on working Americans.
He noted that several unions and airlines have urged Congress to end the impasse.
“And do we really want to make flying less safe by forcing this kind of situation and making things that much [more] stressed?” he added.
Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman on who he blames for the shutdown:
FETTERMAN: "I feel like the Democrats really need to own the shutdown. I mean, we're shutting it down." pic.twitter.com/ywSPMlJVwL
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) November 2, 2025
SNAP Funding Lapse Highlights Partisan Divide
The SNAP cutoff has become one of the most visible consequences of the shutdown.
Pressure is mounting on Congress to restore funding as grocery prices remain high.
Fetterman’s remarks stand out among Democrats, many of whom have sought to shift blame to President Donald Trump’s administration, arguing that it could have drawn from emergency reserves to keep benefits flowing.
The White House has maintained that the shutdown, driven by a dispute over Democratic tax credit demands, must be resolved through congressional action rather than executive intervention.
READ MORE – Fetterman Apologizes to the American People for the Democrat Shutdown: ‘I’m Sorry’
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