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Senators John Fetterman, a Democrat, and Dave McCormick, a Republican, stood united in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, urging an end to the government shutdown. They highlighted the escalating challenges faced by families, workers, and federal employees in Pennsylvania due to this impasse.
In a joint video posted to social media, Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators urged colleagues in both parties to prioritize reopening the federal government as the shutdown entered its 23rd day. The message marks a rare moment of bipartisan unity between Fetterman, a Democrat known for breaking with his party on several recent votes, and McCormick, a first-term Republican elected in 2024.
“We’re here in Washington, D.C., and the government is at a standstill,” Fetterman commented in a video. “But representing Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate, despite our differing party affiliations, we both recognize the necessity of reopening the government.”
McCormick emphasized the detrimental effects the shutdown is causing in Pennsylvania, pointing out its impact on air traffic controllers, border patrol agents, and the two million residents relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). “It’s been 23 days and 12 votes,” he noted. “Senator Fetterman and I are aligned in our commitment to restarting the government. This is a fundamental duty, irrespective of which party holds the majority.”
Fetterman supported this view, stressing the priority of national over party interests. “Our votes are for the country above party lines,” he said. “We have two million Pennsylvanians depending on SNAP, facing the threat of losing this essential support. We need to reopen the government and engage in meaningful dialogue about extending tax credits. Though our parties differ, we’re united for Pennsylvania and our nation.”
McCormick concluded with a firm statement, “Pennsylvanians expect it. Pennsylvanians deserve it.”
The bipartisan appearance follows Fetterman’s repeated opposition to the ongoing shutdown. Earlier this week, he told Fox News that he would not “lie” to Democratic voters by defending a government closure, saying, “It’s wrong to shut our government down. And then if I lose some support within the base, well, I’m going to be honest, and I’ll be the Democrat to refuse to lie to the base and just say that it’s the right thing to shut the government down.”
Fetterman has publicly broken with Democratic leaders on several occasions in recent months. In September, he told CNN that it would be “absolutely the wrong thing” for Democrats to shut down the government, arguing that such tactics create “massive chaos.” His stance has drawn criticism within his party, with some Pennsylvania Democrats reportedly weighing a 2028 primary challenge over what they describe as his independent streak.
Since President Donald Trump took office in 2025, Fetterman has voiced support for select Trump nominees and Republican-led policies, including the Laken Riley Act, and has defended his willingness to work across the aisle when it benefits Pennsylvanians.
