Fetterman Hits the Ground Running First Week Back in D.C.

WASHINGTON, DC – Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman wrapped up his first week back in the Senate. Sen. Fetterman spent his time in Washington speaking at a press conference, questioning administration nominees, meeting with constituents, and chairing a subcommittee hearing.

Sen. Fetterman on Tuesday joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), along with House colleagues, to introduce the ETHICS Act. The new bill that would ban Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent minors from owning or trading stocks, commodities, or futures. Senator Fetterman strongly supported a ban on Congressional stock trading throughout his campaign for Senate. His co-sponsorship of the ETHICS Act follows through on his promise to hold Washington accountable and level the playing field.

“Lawmakers should be focused on getting results for their constituents — not lining their own pockets,” said Senator Fetterman at a press conference to introduce the bill.  

Senator Fetterman outside of the Capitol at a press conference to introduce the ETHICS Act.

Senator Fetterman on Wednesday led his first hearing as Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research. The hearing was especially timely, as House Republicans have recently targeted SNAP work requirements in their debt limit proposal, rather than agreeing to a clean debt ceiling raise. Witnesses spoke about their research on food assistance programs, their organizations’ work providing food assistance aid, and their lived experiences using programs like SNAP. Senator Fetterman promised to work toward modernizing and expanding SNAP benefits to ensure they work for Pennsylvanians in our modern economy.

Senator Fetterman chairing the Senate Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research hearing on food assistance programs.

Further making good on his promise to protect food assistance programs, Senator Fetterman co-sponsored the Closing the Meal Gap Act, legislation that would strengthen SNAP by raising the baseline benefit for all SNAP households and allocating more funds to those with large medical and housing expenses.

Senator Fetterman also met with many constituents throughout the week, including Pennsylvanians representing the National Farmers’ Union, Penn State University, the Dairy Checkoff Program, and National Roofing Contractors Association. He also met with the president of the Federal Reserve of Philadelphia.

Senator Fetterman with Lolly Lesher of the Dairy Checkoff Program.

Senator Fetterman with Patrick T. Harker, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

Senator Fetterman with Michael Kovach of the National Farmers Union.