Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman is firing back at critics questioning his mental fitness and dedication to his role, calling recent allegations a “weird smear” campaign against him. Appearing on Monday, May 2, alongside Republican Senator David McCormick at The Senate Project event in Boston, Fetterman responded to growing scrutiny about his job performance and attendance record.
“For me, it’s very clear, it’s just part of this weird, this weird smear,” the Democrat said, according to The Daily Beast. Fetterman addressed criticism he’s received over several political positions, including his support for Israel, his stance on immigration, and his refusal to support a government shutdown.
“I’m here. I’m doing my job. I’m defending on all those things, and all of those important votes, I’ve always been there,” he insisted. The senator also defended his attendance record, stating that he’s been present for 90 percent of Senate votes.
“And for me, if I miss some of those votes, I mean some of those votes I’ve made 90 percent of them,” he said. “And we all know those votes that I’ve missed were on Monday. Those are travel days, and I have three young kids.” Fetterman went on to downplay the significance of the votes he did miss, describing them as “throwaway procedural votes” with little legislative consequence.
His comments come on the heels of a sharply worded editorial published Sunday, June 1, by The Philadelphia Inquirer, which questioned his commitment to serving the nearly 13 million Pennsylvanians who elected him. “It’s time for Fetterman to serve Pennsylvanians, or step away,” the editorial board wrote.
The piece alleged that Fetterman has “missed more votes than nearly every other senator in the past two years” and regularly skips Senate committee hearings, caucus lunches, and floor activity. According to The Guardian, the Inquirer’s report also cited six former staffers who claimed the senator often isolates himself in his office and avoids meetings with colleagues.
The board concluded: “Being an elected official comes with public scrutiny. If Fetterman can’t handle the attention or perform his job, then in the best interest of the country and the nearly 13 million residents of Pennsylvania he represents, he should step aside.”
“Being a US senator is a serious job that requires full-time engagement,” the editorial stated. Despite mounting pressure, Fetterman has made it clear he has no plans to resign and intends to continue fulfilling his role.