Politics
Democratic Divide: Fetterman Dismisses Ocasio-Cortez’s Outrage Over Funding Vote
By Jake Beardslee · March 16, 2025
Democrats Divided Over Government Funding Bill
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) responded to criticism from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) regarding his decision to support a House-passed funding bill aimed at preventing a government shutdown. The bill, which would fund the government through September 30, has divided Democrats, with some arguing that passing it is necessary to avoid disruptions, while others see it as a concession that undermines their party’s priorities. nrkbeta / Governor Tom Wolf's Campaign / Wikimedia
Fetterman Defends Support for Funding Bill
Fetterman defended his stance, arguing that lawmakers opposing the bill have not proposed a realistic solution to resolve a shutdown. He pointed out that while members of Congress would continue receiving their paychecks, many federal workers could be furloughed without pay.“I hope you can relay how little I care about her views on this,” Fetterman said when asked about Ocasio-Cortez’s assertion that Senate Democrats supporting the bill were betraying their House colleagues. He questioned, “What’s the exit plan once we shut the government down? What about all the millions of Americans who are going to have their lives damaged?” Julia Demaree Nikhinson-Pool via Imagn Images
Ocasio-Cortez Criticizes Senate Democrats' Approach
Ocasio-Cortez, along with other progressive lawmakers, has voiced frustration over Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) support for the bill. While Schumer acknowledged the legislation had significant flaws, he maintained that allowing a shutdown would be a worse outcome.Ocasio-Cortez, who has not ruled out a 2028 Senate bid against Schumer, argued that passing the bill undermines House Democrats who took political risks by opposing it. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Tensions Rise as Debate Over Shutdown Continues
“There are members of Congress who have won Trump-held districts in some of the most difficult territory in the United States, who walked the plan and took innumerable risks in order to defend the American people,” she said, calling Senate Democrats’ actions “a huge slap in the face.”Fetterman, however, remained unmoved by the backlash. “Whatever her views, I’m going to sleep just fine,” he said. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
Trump Signs Stopgap Spending Bill, Extending Government Funding Through September
In a move to avert a government shutdown, President Donald Trump signed into law a Republican-led stopgap spending bill on March 15, 2025. The legislation, known as the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, extends government funding through September 30, 2025, maintaining fiscal year 2024 spending levels with minor adjustments. Notably, it reduces non-defense discretionary spending by approximately $13 billion while increasing defense spending by $6 billion. The White House / Wikimedia