Fetterman threatens to abandon Democrats
· Axios
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said he'd leave the Democratic Party if it becomes the "anti-Israel party," though he signaled he had no plans to imminently depart the caucus.
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Why it matters: Republicans currently hold a narrow Senate majority, but with midterm elections looming, Fetterman's comments could be a blow to Democrats should they flip four seats in November and regain control.
- Fetterman acknowledged the Democrats' difficult Senate math when speaking Wednesday at The Hill Nation Summit: "And if we flip those four seats, then I would be 51, and ... watch what I do."
- He continued, "I'm the guy that would be there that 51 as the committed Democrat."
Driving the news: Democrats have grown more disillusioned and angry toward Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as evidenced by Wednesday's vote to prevent the State Department from funding the nation.
- While the measure, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), failed, more than 100 House Democrats, plus Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), voted for it.
What they're saying: "If our party ever becomes, and just make it official, as the anti-Israel party ... that's when I would leave because that's a bit of moral clarity for me," Fetterman said at the summit.
- Fetterman's office did not immediately respond to Axios' request to elaborate on what that boundary looks like for him.
- However, Fetterman said at Wednesday's summit that he is "never changing" his party — except for "that one condition."
Catch up quick: While the hoodie-wearing Pennsylvanian's cross-aisle voting has earned him a softer reception from some on the right, his own party has raged against him.
- After Fetterman cast the deciding vote to advance Markwayne Mullin's nomination for DHS secretary, Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) wrote, "He needs to go," calling the senator "Trump's favorite Democrat."
- More than half of Pennsylvania voters want to see Fetterman leave the party, per a recent Quinnipiac University poll of 895 self-identified registered voters.
- Fetterman is likely to face a fierce primary challenge in 2028.
Go deeper: Scoop: Dems plot Fetterman ouster