It's good to know there is one remaining Senate Democrat who seems to have some principles. One Senate Democrat who is willing to defy his party because he puts the country first.
I'm writing, of course, about Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) who, on Saturday, joined host Kayleigh McEnany on Fox News' "Saturday in America" to talk about the shutdown, and why he's voting with Republicans to get the government once more up and running.
The government shutdown has stretched into one of the longest in U.S. history with Democrats and Republicans deadlocked over healthcare funding.
Among the few lawmakers breaking ranks was Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa, who voted with Republicans to reopen the government. Now, he’s urging his colleagues to do the same.
"It’s an easy, easy choice to pick my country over the party, especially in circumstances like this," Fetterman said on "Saturday in America."
On Thursday, the Senate failed in a 54-46 vote to advance a Republican bill to pay certain federal workers during the shutdown, falling short of the 60 votes needed to pass the measure. Only three Democrats, including Fetterman, voted with Republicans.
Actually, only one Democrat (other than Senator Fetterman) and one independent voted with Republicans, those being Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Senator Angus King (I-ME). Senator Fetterman seems to have his web-footed waterfowl arranged in a linear fashion on this issue, and is clearly willing to work with Republicans to move past the shutdown and start talking about deals; he has said so himself.
But Fetterman said he believes Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., is an "honorable guy" and that talks on healthcare will move forward when the government is reopened.
Shut our government down and America loses.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) October 22, 2025
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
This is a man who has shown gumption, principles and has frankly come a long way since he was elected. At that time, this writer, along with many people, didn't think he'd last a term; some claimed he wouldn't last the year. He suffered a stroke, and later fought with depression, but he seems to have hit his stride now.
We should never forget that he's still a Democrat. He's still going to disagree with Republicans on any number of issues and shows no inclination to cross over to the other side of the aisle. But he's a rare thing, these days: An actual moderate Democrat, a man who is putting his constituents ahead of his party. At least where the shutdown is concerned. He's no conservative, bearing only a 7 percent rating from Heritage Action. But he makes us hearken back to the days when someone could be a liberal and still be someone worthy of respect. More to the point, he reminds me of the days when there were still moderate Democrats.
Make no mistake: Were I a Pennsylvanian resident, I wouldn't vote for John Fetterman. But I suspect if I had a grievance and had the chance to talk to him about it, he would listen, and take me seriously - even if we ended up disagreeing.
Read More: Meting Out the Pain: Senate Dems Nuke Pay Bill for Government Workers
Uh-Oh, Chuck: Fetterman Backs 'Nuclear Option' to End Partisan Schumer Shutdown
Watch Senator Fetterman's full Fox News interview:
Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.
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