Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) found himself in hot water with members of his own party this week after voicing frustration over Senate leadership tactics that cost him a family beach vacation.
The tension began when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) moved to stall passage of President Donald Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill by invoking a procedural maneuver requiring the entire bill—spanning hundreds of pages—to be read aloud on the Senate floor. Schumer claimed the maneuver was necessary because Republicans were refusing to “tell America what’s in the bill.”
“We will be here all night if that’s what it takes,” Schumer said on Saturday. “Democrats are forcing the bill to be read start to finish on the floor.”
Fetterman not really happy with Dems forcing the clerk to read the bill: “it’s not like it’s pathetic to force the clerk to read it or anything”
— Burgess Everett (@burgessev) June 28, 2025
That didn’t sit well with Fetterman, who promptly expressed his discontent. “It’s not like it’s pathetic to force the clerk to read it or anything,” he remarked sarcastically, signaling his frustration with the political theater unfolding in the chamber.
But it was Fetterman’s comments on Monday that sparked the most criticism. Speaking to reporters, the Pennsylvania senator lamented, “Oh my God, I just want to go home. I’ve already missed our entire trip to the beach, my family’s going to be back before we do.” He added that the outcome of the vote was already known, calling the delays pointless: “The only interesting votes are going to be on the margins… I don’t think it’s really helpful to put people here until some ungodly hour.”
SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN (D-PA) FUMES over extended voting on the Big Bill: “Oh my God, I just want to go home.”
“I’ve already I’ve missed our entire trip to the beach…I don’t think it’s really helpful to put people here till some ungodly hour.”pic.twitter.com/37nFBMtTLV
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 30, 2025
His comments drew immediate pushback—not just from Republican critics, but also from within the Democratic caucus. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) fired back, stating, “There is always dignity in fighting for the American people. We should be here fighting for the American people. I don’t care if it takes a month.”
While Fetterman’s frustration may reflect the mood of many senators trapped in procedural gridlock, his casual tone and reference to missing a family vacation struck a nerve. Critics accused him of prioritizing personal comfort over duty, particularly during a pivotal debate on legislation with major implications for taxes, immigration enforcement, and social welfare policy.
JUST NOW: Mark Kelly speaks on John Fetterman’s comments: “There is always dignity in fighting for the American people. We should be here fighting for the American people. I don’t care if it takes a month” pic.twitter.com/f74g2yJXle
— Marco Foster (@MarcoFoster_) June 30, 2025
Still, despite the intra-party tension, Fetterman’s analysis is likely accurate. With most senators expected to vote along party lines, it will be the few swing votes—moderates like Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) or Ron Johnson (R-WI)—that ultimately determine whether the One Big, Beautiful Bill passes the Senate.
