Calling it a “weird smear” campaign, Democrat Senator John Fetterman (PA) cries foul after the media blasted him over his missed Senate votes.
The senator faces scrutiny after missing 30 floor votes this year, about 10% of total votes, making him the senator with the third-worst attendance record in 2024.
Fetterman defended his absences during a debate with Republican Senator David McCormick at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston.
He even dismissed those “throwaway votes” that typically occur on travel days.
The senator pushed back against a Philadelphia Inquirer editorial that suggested he should either put more effort into his job or resign from Congress.
“It’s just part of like this weird-this weird smear,” Fetterman told Fox News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream, who moderated the debate.
The senator claimed the criticism stems not from genuine concern about his attendance but from opposition to his political positions.
Fetterman pointed out what he sees as a double standard in media coverage, claiming that other senators with similar or worse attendance records have not faced the same level of scrutiny.
He specifically mentioned fellow Democrats Bernie Sanders and Patty Murray, suggesting their frequent absences go unreported while his are magnified.
The controversy highlights the ongoing challenges Fetterman has faced since suffering a stroke during his 2022 campaign.
While liberal media outlets initially celebrated his victory over Dr. Mehmet Oz, some now question his ability to fulfill his senatorial duties.
This turn of events is particularly striking as Fetterman has broken with the progressive wing of his party on issues like Israel and illegal immigration.
Interestingly, McCormick came to Fetterman’s defense during the debate, dismissing suggestions that the Democrat’s health issues impact his ability to serve.
While debating President Donald Trump’s budget proposal, Fetterman opposed cuts to Medicaid and food stamps.
He also expressed concern about the impact on vulnerable populations and the national debt.
McCormick countered by arguing for Medicaid reforms to ensure benefits reach intended recipients while protecting truly vulnerable Americans.
Americans wonder why Fetterman seems so concerned about government spending when he shows limited interest in actually showing up to vote on these crucial matters.
His selective attendance raises questions about his commitment to representing Pennsylvania taxpayers who pay his salary.
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s call for Fetterman to either improve his performance or step down reflects growing frustration with elected officials who collect government paychecks while failing to fulfill basic job responsibilities.
For a senator with one of the worst attendance records in Congress, claiming media “smears” appears to be an attempt to deflect from legitimate concerns about job performance.
