Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman’s frustration with the lengthy voting procedures of Trump’s massive legislative proposal speaks volumes about today’s political landscape.
At a Glance
- Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) was “mocked” after complaining about having to miss a family beach trip due to a marathon Senate voting session.
- The Senate has been working through the weekend on President Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” a major tax-and-spending package.
- Fetterman called the legislative process “performative” and lamented being kept in Washington for what he sees as a predictable outcome.
- He confirmed he is a “HARD NO” on the final bill, citing cuts to Medicaid and SNAP and their impact on the national debt.
A Senator’s “Hardship”: Missing the Beach
As Senate Republicans engage in a high-stakes, down-to-the-wire effort to pass President Trump’s signature legislative package, Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania is lamenting the personal cost of doing his job: he had to miss a trip to the beach.
In comments to reporters in the halls of the Capitol, Fetterman expressed his annoyance with the extended weekend session. “Oh my God, I just want to go home,” he said, according to a report from The Independent. “I’ve already… missed our entire trip to the beach.”
A “Performative” Process
The Senate has been engaged in a “vote-a-rama,” a marathon session to consider dozens of amendments to the 900-page bill. Fetterman, however, dismissed the process as pointless political theater.
“I’m going to vote no. There’s no drama—we know how the votes are going to go,” Fetterman said, as reported by One America News Network. “And I think—I don’t think it’s really helpful to put people here till some ungodly hour.” His comments have drawn ridicule from critics, who have mocked the senator for complaining about the legislative workload.
A “HARD NO” on Trump’s Bill
While his complaints about the schedule have drawn the most attention, Fetterman did outline his substantive reasons for opposing the bill. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he made his position clear.
Not one single Democrat will vote for the “big beautiful bill.”
I’m here to vote on these amendments and keep the ball rolling.
I’m a HARD NO on the final bill and won’t support cutting Medicaid, SNAP or adding up to $5T to our national debt.
— U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) June 30, 2025
“Not one single Democrat will vote for the ‘big beautiful bill,'” he wrote. “I’m here to vote on these amendments and keep the ball rolling. I’m a HARD NO on the final bill and won’t support cutting Medicaid, SNAP or adding up to $5T to our national debt.” His opposition, however, has been overshadowed by the perception that he is more concerned with his vacation plans than the nation’s fiscal future.
