Fetterman’s breaks with Democrats have limits

A mostly Democratic voting record

Sen. John Fetterman’s high-profile disagreements with Democrats have not produced a broad change in his Senate voting record. Since entering the Senate in 2023, the Pennsylvania Democrat has voted with Senate Democrats nearly 90% of the time, a Fox News review found.

His alignment with Democrats fell to just under 81% during the current session of Congress. That represents more frequent breaks with the party, while still leaving a large majority of his votes on the Democratic side.

The voting figures provide a wider measure of Fetterman’s record than the individual disputes that have drawn national attention. They do not show a wholesale move toward Republican positions or establish that he is preparing to change parties.

Why party-switch talk continues

Fetterman has said he would leave the Democratic Party if it continued moving away from support for Israel. He has also split with Democrats on matters involving Iran and immigration.

His relationships and appearances have added to speculation. Fetterman is friends with Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, recorded a video introducing Republican Sen. Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania at the Republican National Convention and has used Republican fundraising platforms. During an appearance at the Texas Tribune’s TribFest, he mistakenly described himself as a lifelong Republican while answering a question about becoming an independent.

Fetterman has also pointed to his record supporting abortion rights and LGBTQ rights when rejecting comparisons with Republicans. He remains a Democratic senator and has kept open the question of whether he will seek another term.