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Celerity

(55,454 posts)
69. John Fetterman casts the deciding vote against limiting Trump's war in Iran
Thu Jul 2, 2026, 01:43 PM
Thursday

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