Fetterman suggests people ‘weaponize’ his mental health struggles over politics – Washington Examiner
Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) has expressed concerns that his mental health struggles are being “weaponized” against him for political purposes as he faces scrutiny regarding his ability to serve in the Senate. Fetterman, who suffered a stroke prior to his election in November 2022 and later sought treatment for depression, has faced renewed criticism following a report suggesting he is struggling with his mental health. In an interview, he asserted that his opponents are leveraging his mental health challenges to undermine his position, as warned by his doctor. Additionally, Fetterman has been scrutinized for his attendance record in the Senate, where he noted that many missed votes were procedural and not significant.He emphasized the importance of family time as a reason for prioritizing personal matters over certain votes. Despite facing criticisms, he continues to receive support from various political figures and has committed to serving his term, which ends in January 2029, though he has not indicated whether he will run for reelection.
Fetterman suggests people ‘weaponize’ his mental health struggles over politics
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) claims his opponents are attempting to “weaponize” his mental health struggles as he faces increased scrutiny over his ability to serve in the Senate.
The Pennsylvania Democrat was elected to his seat in November 2022, months after suffering a stroke, and later was checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment for depression in early 2023. Fetterman has come under renewed scrutiny over his ability to serve after a New York magazine report published earlier in the month, sourced by former staffers in his office, claimed the senator was struggling with his mental health.
Fetterman, in an interview with the New York Times, pushed back on such criticism and claimed his opponents are weaponizing his mental health struggles.
“My doctor warned years ago: After it’s public that you are getting help for depression, people will weaponize that,” Fetterman told the outlet. “Simple things are turned. That’s exactly what happened.”
He has also received scrutiny over his attendance in the Senate, but claims most of the votes he has missed are meaningless procedural votes. The Pennsylvania Democrat had the third-worst attendance in the chamber in 2024, and has already missed more than two dozen votes this year.
“The votes I missed were overwhelmingly procedural; they’re even called ‘bed check’ votes,” Fetterman told the outlet. “I had to make a decision: getting here and sticking my thumb in the door for three seconds for a procedural vote or spend Monday night as a dad-daughter date.”
FETTERMAN’S FREQUENT SENATE ABSENCES ADD TO PILING CONTROVERSIES
“I would go visit my dad instead of a throwaway vote,” Fetterman said, referring to his father, who recently had a heart attack.
While Fetterman has received criticism from some people on his side of the aisle, he has also received support from both Democrats and Republicans as he continues to manage his mental health. Fetterman’s current term ends in January 2029, and while he insists he will serve out the rest of his term, he has not said if he will seek reelection.
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