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Feb 13, 2026

Fetterman Admits Democrats Are ‘Not Getting It Together’ During Shutdown Fight

Sen. John Fetterman publicly apologized Thursday for the inability of Senate Democrats to reach an agreement that would end the ongoing government shutdown.

Speaking with CNN reporter Manu Raju, Fetterman expressed frustration about the continuing political stalemate, warning that many federal employees remain without pay and that millions of families could soon struggle to put food on the table as funding for food assistance programs runs out.

During the interview, Fetterman admitted that the situation reflects poorly on lawmakers and acknowledged that his own party shares responsibility for the deadlock.

“To everyone watching, I’m sorry that we can’t even get our s— together and simply reopen the government,” Fetterman said.

The federal shutdown has now entered its fourth week as Democrats and Republicans in the Senate remain locked in disagreement over spending legislation needed to begin the new fiscal year. The standoff is also threatening the future of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, approximately 42 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits. Officials warn that if the shutdown continues, those benefits could be disrupted.

New funding for the program had originally been scheduled for distribution on November 1.

Fetterman said he expects to personally see the consequences when he returns home to Pennsylvania. His wife, Gisele Fetterman, helps operate a community food program known as the Free Store, which distributes groceries several times each week.

He noted that demand for food assistance in their community has already increased.

“My wife runs the Free Store in our area,” Fetterman explained. “They give out food three times a week, and the lines are already getting longer. Soon I’ll meet people who have lost their SNAP benefits, and I won’t have an explanation for them.”

Fetterman once again apologized on behalf of his Democratic colleagues, calling the prolonged gridlock in Washington a failure.

“All I can say is I’m sorry,” he said. “What has happened over the last month is an absolute failure, and now the consequences are going to hit families.”

He asked people to imagine the stress faced by parents trying to care for their children while vital support disappears.

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