Fetterman Apologizes For Dems Who Can’t Get ‘S**t’ Together Amid Shutdown

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) apologized Thursday on behalf of Senate Democrats for their failure to end the ongoing government shutdown, which has now stretched into its fourth week. Speaking with CNN’s Manu Raju, Fetterman voiced frustration over unpaid federal workers and families at risk of losing food assistance.

“I’m apologizing that we can’t even get our s— together and just open up our government,” Fetterman said, acknowledging his party’s share of responsibility for the stalemate.

The shutdown has left both parties deadlocked over spending legislation, threatening to halt SNAP (food stamp) benefits for roughly 42 million Americans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture warned that new funding, which was due Nov. 1, could soon run out.

Fetterman said he expects to see the impact firsthand in Pennsylvania, where his wife, Giselle, operates a local food distribution program. “Her lines have already gotten longer,” he said, adding that many families will lose benefits by Saturday.

Calling the situation “an absolute failure,” Fetterman expressed empathy for struggling parents forced to feed their children without support. He stressed that reopening the government “shouldn’t be controversial.”

He also criticized Senate Democrats for failing to strike a deal with Republicans, saying, “If we can’t even agree to pay everybody, our party has bigger problems than I thought.”

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) blamed President Trump, accusing him of “manufacturing a hunger crisis.” Republicans countered that Democrats are holding up negotiations over Obamacare subsidy extensions.