Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) spoke together in Washington, D.C., on Thursday calling for an end to the government shutdown, highlighting its growing impact on Pennsylvania families, workers and federal employees.
In a joint video published On social media, Pennsylvania's two U.S. senators urged colleagues from both parties to prioritize reopening the federal government as the shutdown enters its 23rd day. The message marks a rare moment of bipartisan unity between Fetterman, a Democrat known for breaking with his party in several recent votes, and McCormick, a Republican elected to a first term in 2024.
“We're in Washington, D.C., and it's closed,” Fetterman said in the video. “But now here in the U.S. Senate, Pennsylvania has a voice, even though we're in a different party, and we both want to talk about why we think it's so important to reopen this government.”
McCormick added that the extended closure is “really starting to hurt Pennsylvania,” citing air traffic controllers, Border Patrol agents and the two million residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). “Twenty-three days, 12 votes,” he said. “Senator Fetterman and I both voted to open the government. We agree on that 100%. We have to get the government open. That's our number one responsibility. And I would say that no matter which party is in the majority.”
Fetterman echoed that sentiment, framing the issue as one of national responsibility rather than partisan loyalty. “At the moment we are voting for the country, not the party,” he noted. “We now have two million Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP. That will stop, and now we can stop, reopen the government and have a serious conversation about extending these tax breaks. We're in a different party. We're on the same team for Pennsylvania and our country.”
McCormick concluded, “Pennsylvania residents expect this. Pennsylvanians deserve it.”
The bipartisan appearance follows Fetterman's repeated opposition to the ongoing shutdown. Earlier this week he said Fox News said he wouldn't “lie” to Democratic voters by defending a government shutdown, saying, “Shutting down our government is wrong. And then if I lose some support within the voting base, well, I'll be honest, and I'll be a Democrat to refuse to lie to the voting base and just say shutting down the government is the right thing to do.”
Fetterman has publicly broken with Democratic leaders several times in recent months. In September he said CNN said it would be “absolutely wrong” for Democrats to shut down the government, arguing that such tactics create “mass chaos.” His stance has drawn criticism from within his party, reportedly from some Pennsylvania Democrats. weighing the main problem in 2028 is that they call it an independent vein.
Since President Donald Trump took office in 2025, Fetterman has expressed support for Trump-elect. nominees and under Republican leadership policyincluding Laken Riley's Law, and has protected his willingness to work opposite when it benefits the people of Pennsylvania.
