Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) on Tuesday reportedly signaled his support for Senate Republicans to use a filibuster carve-out to end the ongoing government shutdown, now entering its third week.
With federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) running critically low on funds, Fetterman stressed the urgency of restoring government operations.
“There are no winners here. It’s not getting better every day here. People are going to start to get really hungry, and I’ve been fully, fully committed to fund SNAP, open up the government,” Fetterman said on Capitol Hill, underscoring the human cost of the standoff. He also drew attention to the plight of U.S. Capitol Police officers, who continue to work without pay.
When asked whether he would back a Republican proposal to bypass the Senate’s 60-vote threshold for cloture, allowing a simple majority to pass the House’s funding measure, Fetterman responded affirmatively. “Carve it out for that, absolutely,” he said, referring to the temporary filibuster exception.
Fetterman framed his support as a practical measure to prevent future shutdowns. “We ran on that. We ran on killing the filibuster, and now we love it. Carve it out so we can move on. I support it because it makes it more difficult to shut the government down in the future, and that’s where it’s entirely appropriate,” he stated. His comments reflect a recognition that procedural tools like the filibuster can be strategically adjusted in times of national urgency.
The Pennsylvania senator also criticized fellow Democrats for what he described as inconsistent positions on Senate rules. “I don’t want to hear any Democrat clutching their pearls about the filibuster. We all ran on it,” Fetterman said, highlighting the tension within his party between ideological commitments and the practical need to fund essential government services.
Fetterman’s statements come as the shutdown has left federal employees and beneficiaries of key programs facing growing uncertainty.
The deadlock in Congress has prevented the passage of continuing resolutions to fund government operations, prompting both parties to consider unconventional procedural maneuvers to break the stalemate.
Republicans have been advocating for a filibuster carve-out as a temporary measure to allow essential spending measures to move forward without negotiating the full 60 votes normally required to overcome a filibuster.
Fetterman’s support lends bipartisan momentum to the proposal, increasing the likelihood that critical funding could be restored before additional disruptions occur.
The senator’s remarks also illustrate broader questions about the strategic use of Senate rules in the face of political gridlock. By endorsing a carve-out in this instance, Fetterman emphasized a willingness to prioritize practical solutions over strict adherence to party orthodoxy.
As the shutdown persists, the focus on essential programs such as SNAP and public safety has intensified, with lawmakers under pressure to prevent further harm to constituents and federal workers. Fetterman’s public support for the carve-out positions him as a key voice in the effort to reopen the government while simultaneously addressing long-term procedural reforms.
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