In a striking critique, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., has accused fellow Democrats of inconsistency in their defense of the Senate filibuster during a prolonged government shutdown.
According to The Hill, Fetterman has voiced support for Republicans using the nuclear option to bypass the filibuster and pass a funding bill, while condemning Democrats for opposing such a move after previously campaigning to alter the 60-vote rule.
The government has been without funding for four weeks, creating a dire situation for many Americans. This shutdown has led to critical programs like the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) running low on resources. Fetterman emphasized the urgency of the situation, pointing out the basic need for people to have access to food.
The senator’s comments come amid growing frustration over the stalled efforts to reopen the government. He argues that Democrats have shifted their stance on the filibuster, a Senate rule requiring 60 votes to pass most legislation. Many in his party, including Fetterman himself during his campaign, advocated for exceptions to this threshold to advance key policies.
“I think it would be rather hypocritical for us as a party now to suddenly love the filibuster,” Fetterman said on “Sunrise on the Hill” on Wednesday. He highlighted the contradiction in Democrats’ current position compared to their past rhetoric. Fetterman noted that just a few years ago, the party was eager to rethink the rule.
“In that cycle that I ran, all of us ran on getting rid of the filibuster to enact exactly parts of our agenda,” he added. “And now we can’t pretend that we love it or pretend we just were in a much different situation just a couple years ago,” Fetterman continued. This shift in tone, he argues, undermines the party’s credibility on the issue.
Fetterman has gone further, endorsing a drastic measure known as the nuclear option. This procedural tactic would allow Senate Republicans to pass a House-approved funding bill with just a simple majority, sidestepping the usual 60-vote requirement. He believes this could be a viable path to ending the shutdown.
The senator stressed the importance of keeping the government operational, especially during a crisis impacting essential services. He pointed out that both parties have historically used filibuster carveouts for significant priorities, such as confirming judicial nominees. Fetterman sees reopening the government as equally critical to warrant such an exception.
“And I do think carving it out makes sense, too, because it would make it virtually impossible for either party, Republican or Democrats, to shut it down,” Fetterman explained. He suggested that altering the rules could prevent future gridlock. This idea aims to ensure stability regardless of which party holds power.
“It’s irresponsible to shut our government down, just when the Republicans did this back multiple times, and now we are doing this at this point,” Fetterman stated. He criticized both sides for allowing political maneuvers to harm the public. The senator’s frustration reflects a broader concern about governance failures.
The ongoing shutdown has left millions in uncertainty, with programs like SNAP nearing depletion. Fetterman underscored the human cost of this political standoff. For many families, the lack of funding translates to empty tables and unmet needs.
As the deadlock persists, Fetterman’s stance adds pressure on Democrats to reconsider their approach. He argues that protecting a procedural rule should not outweigh the immediate needs of citizens. The senator’s support for the nuclear option signals a willingness to prioritize results over tradition.
The filibuster has long been a contentious tool in the Senate, often stalling major legislation. Both parties have manipulated their use when it suits their agendas, as Fetterman noted with past carveouts. His comments reignite a debate over whether the rule serves or hinders democracy.
With the government shuttered for a month, the consequences extend beyond immediate program funding. Public trust in elected officials continues to erode as essential services remain disrupted. Fetterman’s critique challenges lawmakers to focus on practical solutions over partisan posturing. Whether Republicans will pursue the nuclear option to pass the funding measure is unclear. Democrats face a dilemma between upholding Senate norms and addressing the shutdown’s fallout. Fetterman’s outspokenness may influence how this standoff unfolds in the coming days.