Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, is facing backlash over his attendance record in Congress and allegations of outbursts towards staffers. Despite these challenges, Fetterman is pushing back against reports that he no longer wants to serve in Congress.
During a debate with Sen. Dave McCormick, a Republican from Pennsylvania, Fetterman defended his record, stating that he has made 90 percent of congressional votes and that the ones he missed were on travel days or procedural votes. Fetterman emphasized that he is committed to his job and called out the media for trying to smear him.
The debate took place in Boston at The Senate Project, a bipartisan initiative aimed at fostering cooperation between lawmakers. Fetterman’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from POLITICO.
Fetterman, who suffered a stroke before winning the 2022 Senate primary and later sought treatment for severe depression, has been open about his mental health struggles. However, a recent New York magazine report raised concerns among current and former staffers about Fetterman’s mental and physical health. Progressive organizations in Pennsylvania have called for Fetterman’s resignation, citing his voting record and interactions with constituents.
Despite these challenges, Fetterman pointed out that other senators, such as Bernie Sanders and Patty Murray, have also missed votes during their time in office. Sanders has missed 13.4 percent of roll call votes since 1991, while Murray has missed 2.6 percent since 1993. In comparison, Fetterman has missed 18.1 percent of roll call votes during his first term in office.
Fetterman’s defense of his record comes as he faces mounting pressure to address concerns about his performance in Congress. As the debate continues, Fetterman remains steadfast in his commitment to serving the people of Pennsylvania and fulfilling his duties as a senator.
