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Celerity

(55,581 posts)
69. John Fetterman casts the deciding vote against limiting Trump's war in Iran
Thu Jul 2, 2026, 01:43 PM
Jul 2

The Pennsylvania Democrat has voted repeatedly to support the war. With a few Republicans deflecting, it was now the first time his vote was decisive.

https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/john-fetterman-iran-war-powers-resolution-deciding-vote-20260513.html

https://archive.ph/Eshs0

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D., Pa.) on Wednesday cast the deciding vote against the latest effort to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to attack Iran — the seventh such time he’s broken with his party since the war began but the first time that Republican deflections made his vote decisive. The war powers resolution failed 49 to 50 as the Pennsylvanian was the only Democrat to vote with Republicans who control the Senate. Three Republicans — U.S. Sens. Rand Paul, of Kentucky; Susan Collins, of Maine; and Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska — voted with Democrats.

The vote comes less than a week after Fetterman published a column in The Washington Post pushing back on speculation that he may switch parties after a string of high-profile disagreements with fellow Democrats. Fetterman hasn’t wavered in his support for the war that Trump unliterally launched Feb. 28. He’s said repeatedly that the attacks were warranted in order to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and for dismantling the country’s theocratic regime, though the regime remains in place under new leadership and reports indicate Iran still has military capabilities.

Other Democrats have argued the war is illegal and that it was not spurred by an imminent threat to Americans. They have successfully initiated multiple votes — which any individual lawmaker can do under the 1973 War Powers Act — on resolutions to withdraw U.S. forces from the region. The Senate vote Wednesday was the first since a deadline earlier this month that the 1973 law also indicates should mark the withdrawal of forces unless Congress specifically authorizes the conflict.

Democrats and some Republicans have said the 60-day marker is legally binding, though the president has continued to manage the conflict unimpeded since it passed. Both Murkowski and Collins have previously emphasized the importance of that deadline and voted with Democrats for the first time on Wednesday. Paul has criticized the intervention since it began. Fetterman, meanwhile, has frequently broken with his party in high-profile moments. Still, his votes with Republicans — to end the historic government shutdown last fall or to approve controversial immigration enforcement funding earlier this year — has rarely been a deciding factor in whether or not the issue passes.

snip


another example:

Homeland Security Nomination (March 2026): In the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Fetterman cast the decisive vote to advance the nomination of Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. With the Republican committee chairman opposing the nomination, Fetterman's support was vital in sending the pick to the full Senate.



https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/19/politics/john-fetterman-mullin-dhs-vote

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman cast the deciding vote Thursday to advance Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to serve as US Department of Homeland Security secretary, crossing party lines to send President Donald Trump’s nominee to the full Senate for consideration.

He explained in a post on X his decision to join Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in backing the Oklahoma Republican senator to replace outgoing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.



“In January, I called on the president to fire Noem—and he did. I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open-mind,” Fetterman wrote.

“We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS. My AYE is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation’s security,” he continued.

snip

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Please let the door hit you on your way out. Blue Owl Jul 2 #1
He is disloyal to the United States. Dawson Leery Jul 2 #2
Hardly. ColoringFool Jul 2 #72
Hell, TSF isn't helping Israel to much bluestarone Jul 2 #3
"Speaking with Fox News host Sean Hannity .... " Botany Jul 2 #4
I don't know of any Democrat in Congress who is against Israel defending itself or existing. everyonematters Jul 2 #5
It's a clever framing, isn't it? AloeVera Jul 2 #10
I am not convinced that Biden could have stopped it karynnj Jul 2 #94
It's gonna stay that way too.. There doesn't seem to be a winning position for Democrats. LeftInTX Jul 2 #98
I'm not sure what position they could come together behind karynnj Jul 2 #99
Interesting choice of words. "Israel would never agree to it". AloeVera Jul 2 #106
The main part I was referring to was a two state solution karynnj Jul 2 #111
I'm sure he'd see a fund cut as part of Israel's right, too! mymomwasright Jul 2 #19
Country over party is laudable. AloeVera Jul 2 #6
That would be one less centrist in the party. Emile Jul 2 #7
He is not a centrist WSHazel Jul 2 #13
He lied to get into office. He ran as Emile Jul 2 #18
IMHO it was the stroke. The evidence is overwhelming that post-stroke Fetterman is profoundly different at multiple Celerity Jul 2 #60
LCV scorecard: Fetterman 84% lifetime, 80% 2025: McCormick - total zero across the board RandomNumbers Jul 2 #26
Senator John Fetterman votes with the Democratic party approximately 91% to 93% of the time. Emile Jul 2 #31
PA is a purple state. I'll take a centrist D over a reich-wing R ANY FUCKING DAY. Unlike RandomNumbers Jul 2 #36
If the voters in Pennsylvania wanted a centrist, Emile Jul 2 #39
They wanted someone who they thought stood up for actual people, AND who supported women's rights RandomNumbers Jul 2 #48
You can't change history. He won his seat Emile Jul 2 #53
You are right that Fetterman never ran as anti AIPAC AZProgressive Jul 2 #73
Wow! I hadn't heard that about Conor Lamb before TVguyCards Jul 2 #96
BLUE 7 OUT OF LAST 10. ColoringFool Jul 2 #75
Surrendering in advance Cirsium Jul 2 #88
I'll bet that changes to ZERO percent once he switches LuvLoogie Jul 2 #61
That's very possible. Emile Jul 2 #62
John Fetterman casts the deciding vote against limiting Trump's war in Iran Celerity Jul 2 #69
Of course he would be the deciding AGAINST a Democratic position. LuvLoogie Jul 2 #104
Fetterman is not a "centrist""... he's a fuckimg Cha Jul 2 #89
That too! Emile Jul 2 #90
Go ahead and leave, dickhead. Aristus Jul 2 #8
"Going to" leave the party? 3_Limes Jul 2 #9
Bingo ! we have a winner. republianmushroom Jul 2 #25
He votes with Dems more than 90% of the time and if we win the Senate in midterms MadameButterfly Jul 2 #82
He's going to leave the Party whatever happens... kentuck Jul 2 #11
Okay by me. He's not much of a Democrat anyway. sinkingfeeling Jul 2 #12
He is itching for an excuse to orangecrush Jul 2 #14
Hasn't needed an excuse yet unweird Jul 2 #51
Good! ABC123Easy Jul 2 #15
Hasn't he already (in all but "name") anyway? Enough of his blackmail. hlthe2b Jul 2 #16
Hey John! Israel and Netanyahu ARE NOT THE SAME THING! NT maxrandb Jul 2 #17
Agreed, but looking at the polls on their upcoming karynnj Jul 2 #30
There are many myths about Israel. AloeVera Jul 2 #68
The 10 seats were the projection of many polls karynnj Jul 2 #77
Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Or do, it doesn't mean shit to me Autumn Jul 2 #20
Israel is and will always be an ally of the US, but we don't have them give them weapons Wanderlust988 Jul 2 #21
No Democrat has ever denied Israel's right to exist or to defend itself karynnj Jul 2 #22
Bye Bye Johnny! La Coliniere Jul 2 #23
This is why we need 5 Dems to win Senate races in order to gain control of the Senate BluenFLA Jul 2 #24
He ain't switching parties. Wiz Imp Jul 2 #43
see post 60 for some answers (the second part deals with Fetterman's obsession with Israel) Celerity Jul 2 #80
STROKE OUT M'FER - and this time finish the job. harumph Jul 2 #27
Does he think he could be a talking head on FOX in his shorts and sweatshirt? Bengus81 Jul 2 #28
Can we be critical, John? Sneederbunk Jul 2 #29
The reality is, he already left the party.... He calls himself a Democrat, but he isn't one.... Strange dude... ashredux Jul 2 #32
Go ahead. Make my day. MadMike47 Jul 2 #33
Israel does exist. It's "right" to is moot. maxsolomon Jul 2 #34
There is a New York Times best selling book AZProgressive Jul 2 #79
They are a minority. Also Jewish Voice for Peace is a very loud minority. LeftInTX Jul 2 #100
I doubt... GiqueCee Jul 2 #35
Not one Democrat questions MustLoveBeagles Jul 2 #37
What constitutes anti Israel: The Wizard Jul 2 #38
It's not anti-Israel, it's anti Netanyahu. Fla Dem Jul 2 #40
Exactly. Fetterman should listen to AMERICAN Jews Bluetus Jul 2 #44
Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Ritabert Jul 2 #41
Is that all it takes? Omnipresent Jul 2 #42
It was the stroke, it profoundly changed him at so many levels, plus he is being handled, see post 60 for more detail: Celerity Jul 2 #87
Any excuse will do dlk Jul 2 #45
Yes it is MustLoveBeagles Jul 2 #70
No matter how it goes, Fetterman is a one-termer. Bluetus Jul 2 #46
Up for reelection in 2028. So who is going to run against him? Grins Jul 2 #47
"Defend itself" twodogsbarking Jul 2 #49
Bye! jrthin Jul 2 #50
His leaving the Democratic party would be an issue? Dave Id Jul 2 #52
Leaving the Senate? Becoming independent? Caucusing with the gop? Joining the gop? QueerDuck Jul 2 #54
So, he has NO CLUE what Israel's critics are really saying? William Seger Jul 2 #55
It is deliberate. RockRaven Jul 2 #78
He's deliberately misinterpreting it. Iggo Jul 2 #110
Dont care quakerboy Jul 2 #56
Kick his ass out FHRRK1 Jul 2 #57
So what! Donman Jul 2 #58
Smell ya later! Gaytano70 Jul 2 #59
Those things have never been part of the Democratic party's platform, and aren't likely to be any time soon. LudwigPastorius Jul 2 #63
so which party in the Knesset will Fetterman join? DBoon Jul 2 #64
He can sit with Ben Givr and the other Ars Longa Jul 2 #71
He's already gone. SergeStorms Jul 2 #65
Maybe they can do it just long enough to get rid of him, then... TygrBright Jul 2 #66
Not surprised as he's always been a populace candidate. rogue emissary Jul 2 #67
Do you mean a populist candidate? Celerity Jul 2 #83
Yes, and voters have turned on Israel he'll follow the majority eventually. rogue emissary Jul 2 #85
I highly doubt he stops his OTT support of Israel. See post 60. Celerity Jul 2 #86
Smells like a purity test to me. aocommunalpunch Jul 2 #74
I'm having difficulty feeling any sympathy for Fetterman. If I had a more charitable view than I actually do, PatrickforB Jul 2 #76
Being against Netanyahu's maniacal leadership is not anti-Israel. blm Jul 2 #81
There is ALWAYS one of these orthoclad Jul 2 #84
Thought he already had. tavernier Jul 2 #91
He's got a permanent seat on the right wing propaganda machine. miyazaki Jul 2 #92
A better link to avoid "download our app" crap paywall TVguyCards Jul 2 #93
Well, fuck you, Fetterman. This is the United States Of America, not the Israeli States Of America. Initech Jul 2 #95
Some might called this purity politics. David__77 Jul 2 #97
He should move there already IbogaProject Jul 2 #101
Good riddance VanceFan Jul 2 #102
Or he'll leave the party for some other reason. Iggo Jul 2 #103
Hmmmm Timewas Jul 2 #105
Well, bye! Initech Jul 2 #107
"Gimme attention! Gimme! Gimme! Wannattention!" struggle4progress Jul 2 #108
How will we know? n/t BlueSpot Jul 2 #109
He'll get voted out dave99 Jul 3 #112
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