Maverick Democrat’s voting record doesn’t line up with rebel reputation
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., has been making waves in the Senate with his maverick reputation, often standing against his own party. However, despite his bold and fearless style, his voting record doesn’t always align with his outspoken persona.
One recent example of this disconnect was Fetterman’s vote to block a bill that would have prevented biological males from competing in women’s and girls’ sports. Along with every other Democratic senator, Fetterman voted against moving the bill forward, despite the fact that 67% of Democrats agree with Republicans on this issue, according to recent polling.
The bill in question would have required Title IX to recognize gender based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth, without any consideration for gender identity. This is a position that the majority of Americans support, making Fetterman’s vote against the bill all the more surprising.
Fetterman’s tendency to break from his party was also evident in his vocal support of Israel and his meeting with President Donald Trump after his 2024 electoral win. Additionally, he co-sponsored a Republican immigration enforcement bill, the Laken Riley Act, which was ultimately signed into law.
Despite his rebel persona, Fetterman’s voting record shows that he aligns with President Joe Biden’s agenda the majority of the time. In 2023, he voted with Biden 97.3% of the time, and last year, he did not make the list of Senate Democrats who most frequently opposed Biden.
While Fetterman may be known for his blunt and fearless style, his voting habits suggest a more traditional party loyalty. It remains to be seen how his unique approach to politics will continue to shape his time in the Senate.
Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner. Follow Julia’s reporting on Twitter at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
