In a recent debate against Republican candidate David McCormick, Senator John Fetterman addressed allegations regarding his mental and physical health. The comments come after a wave of criticism erupted due to a New York magazine feature. This story brought to light several former and current staffers’ fears that Fetterman was unfit for office.
While his critics pounced, Fetterman claimed victory by voting on 90% of all Senate votes. He pointed out that the majority of his missed votes occurred on Mondays due to travel obligations. He further explained that the votes he missed were generally procedural votes and thus not imperative votes. “I’ve always been there, and for me, if I miss some of those votes, I’ve made 90% of them,” Fetterman stated, adding, “those are throwaway procedural votes that … they were never determined if they were important.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s editorial board went personal in their attacks on Fetterman, focusing particularly on his attendance record. They noted he has missed the most votes of any other senator with the exception of one in the last two years. The board stated, “Being an elected official comes with public scrutiny,” and emphasized the importance of full engagement in such a serious role. They cautioned that if Fetterman fails to meet expectations or do his job well, “he needs to step aside.”
Fetterman brushed off the critics mentioned in the New York magazine piece. He labeled it “a very left hit piece from a very left publication” and criticized its use of anonymous sources. It’s just part of like this weird smear,” he declared. He asked why other female senators, such as Patty Murray, were not subject to the same pressure. Since 1993, Murray has missed 290 of the roll call votes—11,106 total.
In response to the concerns raised by former staffers regarding his behavior and attendance, Fetterman acknowledged his struggles with clinical depression but insisted that he is committed to his role as a senator. “Being an US senator is probably the most important, least visible, full-time job in the world,” he doubled down.
Six former staffers were willing to talk with an Inquirer reporter on background, who described Fetterman’s frequent absences from the office. They reported that he regularly ghosted staff and missed meetings. Fetterman vigorously rebutted claims of his absence, arguing that they were legitimate. He stressed that his duties as a home parent to three under fives took precedence.