A looming government shutdown has U.S. Sen. John Fetterman breaking with his Democratic colleagues as funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hangs in the balance.
The Pennsylvania Democrat spoke with Fox News’s Maria Bartiromo about the deadlock that has Democrat and Republican lawmakers at odds over government funding affecting DHS. A shutdown would mean border security, TSA, and FEMA would also feel the impact if funding expires on Friday without an agreement in Congress.
Today, exclusively on @SundayFutures with @MariaBartiromo, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman @SenFettermanPA @JohnFetterman spoke about funding for DHS expiring this Friday and the SAVE act. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/63x9X677Jr
— SundayMorningFutures (@SundayFutures) February 8, 2026
“I absolutely would expect that it’s going to shut down,” Fetterman responded to Bartiromo’s question about funding on “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“We, the Democrats, we provided, I think it was 10 kinds of basic things, and then the Republicans pushed back quickly, saying that’s a Christmas wish list and that they’re non-starters,” he continued, explaining the impasse.
“I truly don’t know what specifically are the Democrats’ red line, that it has to be, certainly not going to get all ten,” Fetterman said, reiterating that he is sure there will be a government shutdown over the funding deadlock.
The senator went on to note that he is not in favor of doing so, breaking with his party over border enforcement and tougher voter ID laws.
“For me, always as a Democrat… you know, secure our border… deport all the criminals,” he said. “Those are very fundamental things that most Americans signed up for.”
Bartiromo asked Fetterman why it has been so difficult to get his party to agree to voter ID and back the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAFE) Act.
“I do not believe it is unreasonable to show ID just to vote,” he replied, after reminding that he has previously been against government shutdowns that affect “real lives.”
“It’s not a radical idea for regular Americans to show your ID to vote,” he said.
“Those things are not Jim Crow or anything,” he added, referring to Democrats’ arguments against making voters show photo ID. “Of course, that’s part of an awful, awful legacy of our nation’s legacy, of our nation so long ago. But where we are now, trying to find a way forward, just trying to call balls and strikes, seeing what’s unreasonable.”
“I don’t ever want to vote to shut our government down again,” Fetterman added.
Viewers found Fetterman’s “sane” responses refreshing and were grateful for his honest take, with Elon Musk weighing in, “Awesome.”
Awesome https://t.co/MIczgwyJf7
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 8, 2026
So refreshing. We definitely need voter ID to pass.
— ⃥⃥⃥⃥⃥ (@RealIggyLibre) February 8, 2026
John Fetterman seems to be the only Democrat who hasn’t lost his mind.
— Pete Holden (@pgh23) February 8, 2026
Again, thank you @SenFettermanPA for being a sane representative of this purple state.
You don’t vote the way I would always want but you represent Pennsylvania well.
Thank you for serving Pennsylvania above Washington.— David (@IagreeNdisagree) February 8, 2026
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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