Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) continues to call for an end to the government shutdown.
On Monday, the Pennsylvania senator said in a post on X that the government shutdown “is a choice.” Fetterman continued to encourage politicians from both parties to end it, asking them to think of the citizens who are struggling because they are not getting paid. He called for putting “principle over political party.”
“Most Americans would find it incredibly difficult to work for 5 weeks without a paycheck,” Fetterman posted. “This shutdown is a choice. Let’s end this and pay our workers — a vote that shows principle over political party.”
Fetterman has been a staunch proponent of ending the shutdown so federal employees could receive their paychecks. In doing so, the senator has frequently gone against much of the political messaging by his political party surrounding the shutdown. This includes recent comments by Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA), the House Minority Whip, who characterized the shutdown as “leverage.”
“Shutdowns are terrible and, of course, there will be families that are going to suffer,” said Clark. “We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage times we have.”
On Monday, Fetterman seemingly rebuked Clark for the insensitive remark.
“Americans are not any party’s leverage,” Fetterman said.
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He then again called for the government to be reopened so that people who are reliant on government funding for their livelihoods, including the salaries of the Capitol Police, military members, government workers, and 42 million people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, could continue to do so.
“We can find a bipartisan way forward for ACA tax credits,” Fetterman added.
The government shutdown will enter its 28th day on Tuesday, with no end in sight.
