Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has begun to establish a reputation as a senator who is willing to go against his party.
This is not in line with the voting record of his party, especially on important issues such as preventing men from dominating women and girls’ sports.
Every Democratic Senator present at the time, including Fetterman, voted recently to stop from passing a bill that would have banned men from participating in women’s sports.
Recent polling conducted by Ipsos and the New York Times shows that the overwhelming majority of Americans support the measure. Republicans and 67% of Democrats agree that males should not be permitted to play female sports.
This bill requires Title IX that gender is “recognized solely based on the person’s reproduction biology and genetics when they are born” and disallows any adjustments to it being applied to gender identity.
Fetterman’s blunt support for Israel, which he expressed in 2022 after being elected, caused him to ruffle feathers.
In January, he made further waves by meeting President Donald Trump after his election victory in 2024.
He co-sponsored a bill that was signed into law, the Laken Riley Act, by Republicans. This is sweeping legislation on immigration enforcement.
Fetterman, who backed several Trump Cabinet nominees in the early stages, hasn’t been shy about publicly criticizing members of his party. This is especially true after Tuesday’s behavior at President Trump’s address to Congress.
A sad cavalcade showcasing self-awareness and unhinged petty. This only serves to make Trump appear more presidential and reserved. “We’re turning into metaphorical car alarms, which nobody notices – it might not be a winning message”, the senator said on X.com after Democratic legislators caused disruptions.
The Democratic rebel persona of Fetterman has not necessarily reflected the voting patterns of his own party, such as his vote against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
ABC News 538 shows that in 2023, his voting patterns were 97.3% similar to those of President Joe Biden.
In the most recent Roll Call, it was not him who appeared on the list of Senate Democrats that voted against Biden. This list includes Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Jeff Merkley of Oregon. Peter Welch of Vermont and ex-Senators Jon Tester of Montana and Sherrod Brown of Ohio were among those who voted against Biden the most. Sherrod brown of Ohio and Jon Tester from Montana. Joe Manchin, former West Virginia senator, and Bernie Sanders, Vermont Senator, both Independents, were also on the list.
