Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania urged Democrats to take responsibility for the ongoing federal government shutdown, which is on track to become the longest since 1981.
The comments came as millions of Americans face disruptions to federal programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves more than 42 million people nationwide.
In an interview with CNN, Fetterman expressed concern over the widespread impact of the shutdown, particularly on food assistance and working families.
“It is deeply distressing to know that 42 million Americans will lose their SNAP benefits, and that’s one of the big reasons why I’m [opposed] to shutting our government down,” Fetterman said.
🚨 WOW! Sen. John Fetterman is causing HUGE ISSUES for Chuck Schumer today, telling CNN the Democrats OWN the shutdown and resulting suffering of Americans
“I feel like the Democrats really need to own the shutdown.”
“It’s deeply deeply distressing to know that 42 million… pic.twitter.com/vwtRDC7z79
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 2, 2025
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His remarks mark a rare public call from within the Democratic Party to reassess its strategy as the shutdown stretches into its fifth week.
The impasse began after negotiations over a short-term funding measure broke down in Congress. Democrats in both chambers have continued to block a continuing resolution that would temporarily fund government operations, citing demands for additional provisions, including extended Medicaid and Obamacare premium subsidies.
Republicans have pushed for a clean funding bill to reopen the government immediately while broader budget issues are debated separately.
On CNN’s weekend program, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries struggled to explain why Democrats remain opposed to a temporary deal to reopen the government despite growing pressure from within their own ranks.
When asked about the administration’s use of emergency funds to keep food assistance flowing, Jeffries acknowledged that the available contingency funding could sustain SNAP benefits for only two to three weeks.
CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Jeffries: “Even these emergency supplemental funds for SNAP, even if the Trump administration ultimately uses them, it’s only enough to keep food stamps benefits going for two to three weeks, which is significant, but obviously not a long-term solution. I understand why Democrats are voting against the continuing resolution to fund the government. You’re fighting for the extension of the Obamacare premiums. You’re fighting to restore Medicaid funds. But I wonder when these SNAP funds are gone, whether this week or three weeks from now, if the contingency funds are used, are you worried at all that that pressure point will cause more Democrats to rethink the strategy and maybe ultimately vote for the government funding bill?”
Jeffries responded: “We’re continuing to make life better for the American people. We want to reopen the government. We want to enact a bipartisan spending bill that actually makes life better for everyday Americans. And of course, we want to make sure that we can decisively address the Republican health care crisis, which is crushing people all across the country, including working class Americans, rural America, urban America, small-town America, the heartland of America, and black and brown communities throughout America.”
Jeffries added that Republicans were to blame for the lapse in government operations, stating, “It’s very unfortunate that Donald Trump and Republicans have decided to weaponize hunger and withhold SNAP benefits, even in contravention of two federal courts, which have made clear that not a single person in this country should go without their nutritional assistance, and of course, that the funds exist to make sure that those SNAP benefits are paid through November.”
Rep. Jeffries, who refuses to open the government:
“We’re continuing to make life better for the American people.”
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 2, 2025
Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama entered the discussion at a campaign rally in Virginia, where he urged voters to support Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger over Republican Winsome Sears in the upcoming gubernatorial election on November 4.
During his remarks, Obama criticized congressional Republicans, claiming they were responsible for the shutdown.
“Meanwhile, the government is shut down, and the Republicans who currently are in charge of Congress, they’re not even pretending to solve the problem. They haven’t even been showing up for work,” Obama said, according to Townhall.
The U.S. Senate had been scheduled to vote Monday on a measure to reopen the government but postponed the vote to Tuesday.
That date will mark the 35th day of the federal government shutdown, the longest since 1981.
Negotiations remain stalled as both parties trade blame, with millions of Americans waiting to see whether lawmakers can reach a deal to restore federal services and assistance programs.
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