Press Releases - U.S. Senator John Fetterman

Fetterman Rejects GOP Budget Slashing Medicaid, SNAP for Billionaire Tax Breaks

Washington, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate passed the 2025 Budget Resolution along party lines after Senate Republicans blocked 19 amendments to protect Americans’ Medicaid, Medicare and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits; address the economic fallout of President Trump’s tariff orders; and rein in DOGE’s takedown of the federal workforce. U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) cast a firm “NO” vote on the budget and released the following statement in

April 5, 2025

Fetterman, Van Hollen, Huffman Push Bill to End Decades of Underfunding in Special Education

Legislation would guarantee full federal funding for IDEA, fulfilling a 50-year-old promise to America’s students and families Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joined Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) to reintroduce the IDEA Full Funding Act, legislation to ensure Congress finally fulfills its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 50 years ago, Congress passed IDEA to ensure that every child with

April 4, 2025

STATEMENT: Fetterman Backs Labor Union Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Attack on Collective Bargaining

“SEE YOU IN COURT” Washington, D.C. – Today, a coalition of labor unions representing federal workers filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s recent efforts to slash the federal workforce, destroy the sacred right to collectively bargain, and roll back key protections afforded to civil servants. The executive order, signed by President Trump last week, tries to eliminate collective bargaining rights for two-thirds of the federal workforce, further undermining protections for

April 4, 2025

Senators Fetterman, Justice Introduce Legislation to Prevent Tragic Drug Deaths in Prisons

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joined Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) to introduce the Bureau of Prisons Security Check and Action against Narcotics in Mail Act (BOP SCAN Mail Act). This bipartisan legislation would require the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to develop and implement a digital scanning strategy to prevent the smuggling of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs into federal correctional facilities by mail. “We have a responsibility to protect

April 4, 2025

Fetterman Leads Bipartisan Bill to Provide More Flexible Milk Options in School Lunches

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman [D-PA], along with his colleagues Sens. John Kennedy [R-LA] and Cory Booker [D-NJ], introduced the Freedom in School Cafeterias and Lunches (FISCAL) Act. This bipartisan bill would grant schools more flexibility to serve beverages that are nutritionally equivalent to dairy milk for students who are lactose intolerant or may have other disabilities. “We need to be doing whatever it takes to make sure our

April 2, 2025

Fetterman, Underwood Introduce Legislation to Expand Access to Contraceptives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) and Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced the Convenient Contraception Act, legislation that would improve access to contraceptive products, including over-the-counter contraceptives. The bill would allow individuals covered by private health insurance plans to receive up to a full-year supply of contraceptives at one time and would require plans to cover the associated cost at pickup. Providing a year-long supply of contraceptives has been proven

April 1, 2025

Fetterman Introduces Bill to Provide SNAP Benefits for Striking Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman joined Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-12) and Greg Casar (D-TX-35) to introduce the Food Secure Strikers Act, legislation to allow striking workers to qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. “The union way of life is sacred – it’s what built Pennsylvania and this nation. Every single union worker walking the picket line needs to know that we have their back here

March 27, 2025

Fetterman leads Bipartisan Effort to Expand VA Burial Benefits, Ensure Veterans and Their Families Can Be Honored Together

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Dave McCormick (R-PA) introduced the Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act, a bipartisan bill to permanently expand the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) burial benefits. This legislation would allow the VA to provide memorial headstones or markers for veterans, their spouses, and dependent children, regardless of when they passed away, ensuring military families are properly honored together. “We can never

March 26, 2025

Fetterman Rejects Chaos, Votes to Prevent Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Today, by a vote of 54-46, the United States Senate passed H.R. 1968, The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act for Fiscal Year 2025, along party lines. U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) voted to invoke cloture, meeting the 60 votes necessary to end debate on the Continuing Resolution (CR) and move to final passage. Senator Fetterman released the following statement in response: “My YES vote on cloture IS NOT an endorsement

March 14, 2025

Senator Fetterman Leads Introduction of School Lunch Debt Cancellation Act

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced legislation that would direct the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pay off all outstanding student meal debt. The legislation also would grant the USDA new authority to purchase food for food banks. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Peter Welch (D-VT) joined Senator Fetterman to introduce the legislation. “‘School lunch debt’ is a term so absurd that is shouldn’t even exist. I’m

March 13, 2025