The clock keeps ticking, federal workers remain unpaid, and millions of Americans face the risk of losing essential benefits.
In a rare display of candor, Senator John Fetterman stepped forward to apologize on behalf of Senate Democrats, acknowledging the party’s inability to end the ongoing government shutdown—a failure with real consequences for everyday Americans.
Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) publicly expressed regret Thursday for the stalemate that has left the federal government partially closed. Speaking with CNN’s Manu Raju, he highlighted the hardships faced by unpaid federal employees and families who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“I’m apologizing that we can’t even get our act together and just open up our government,” Fetterman admitted, according to the New York Post.
The shutdown has now entered its fourth week, with Congress deadlocked over spending legislation for the new fiscal year. SNAP funding, originally scheduled for November 1, could lapse, putting roughly 42 million Americans at risk of losing food assistance.
Fetterman emphasized that he expects to see the human impact firsthand when he returns to Pennsylvania. “My wife, Giselle, she manages the Free Store in our community, which distributes food three times a week. I’ll witness the effects directly,” he said.
Conclusion
Senator Fetterman’s candid acknowledgment highlights the urgency and human cost of the ongoing shutdown. With millions potentially losing SNAP benefits and federal employees still going unpaid,
the stalemate has escalated beyond a legislative impasse into a crisis impacting real lives. The coming weeks will test whether Congress can break the deadlock and restore essential services to those in need.