Pennsylvania Democrat demands Fetterman step down over Mullin vote

Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman faces growing backlash from his own party; One House Democrat said this week that working with a Republican senator was more successful, while another called for him to resign.

The criticism reflects growing friction between Fetterman and his progressive political base, who have broken with Democrats on key issues such as his support for Israel, his backing of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and his openness to voter ID. Once a darling of the political left who sparred with socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Fetterman now finds himself the target of attacks from his own party.

At a recent event, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., welcomed Fetterman to Sen. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, R-Pa. “I’m better at working on the R side of the aisle than I am on the D side of the aisle,” he said, comparing it to David McCormick.

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The remarks drew jeers from the audience at the event, where Houlahan spoke against the SAVE America Act, GOP-led legislation that includes voter ID requirements and other changes to election rules.

Houlahan called on voters to call “the office of their choice in the Senate” to express their opposition to the bill, adding that “requesting some form of identification is not an unreasonable request” but “this bill is not.”

Fetterman did not respond to a request for comment, but said in a March 17 statement that he would vote against opening debate on the bill, underlining his support for Voter ID.

“Stop turning this into a Christmas list and attacking mail-in voting,” he said.

Houlahan declined to comment further.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) have launched gubernatorial bids for their respective states in the 2025 election. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Last week, Rep. Brendan Boyle of Northeast Philadelphia took intra-party tensions to the next level by demanding Fetterman’s removal.

Boyle, who did not respond to a request for comment, blasted Fetterman for helping to confirm Mullin.

“Senator Fetterman shows once again why he is Trump’s favorite Democrat,” Boyle said in a statement. he said. “He needs to go.”

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Senator John Fetterman meets Sen. John Fetterman to serve as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, on March 18. Listening to the confirmation hearing of Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Rep. Pat Ryan, D-Y., a war veteran and political moderate who has openly opposed Mullin’s nomination, echoed Boyle and condemned Fetterman for effectively endorsing the secretary.

“If you needed any more proof that Fetterman has completely abandoned his constituents, here it is. Pennsylvanians deserve a Senator who truly fights for them,” Ryan said in a statement.

Once a progressive favorite praised for his outspoken, unfiltered style, Fetterman wasn’t always a political maverick. As lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, he advocated legalizing marijuana and aggressively pushed for criminal justice reforms supported by Democrats. He joined the democratic-socialist Sanders wing of the party and hung pride and weed flags from his balcony at the State Capitol.

In 2020, Harrisburg Republicans included language in a budget bill banning flags other than national, state and POW/MIA banners from being displayed at the Capitol, and Fetterman said, “I’m very flattered that they changed the Pennsylvania law just for me.”

Fetterman recently claimed that his party is “run by TDS” (Trump Derangement Syndrome) and will always refuse to label his Republican opponents as “fascists” or reference the Third Reich.

Fetterman also said “Hanging Out with Sean HannityHe said he ran into his old Republican foe in 2022, Dr. Mehmet Oz (the current federal Medicaid administrator), and the two maintained a civil relationship with no ill will.

He also released a statement defending his support for Mullin.

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“In January I called for the president to be impeached [Kristi] Noem – and she did. I approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with a truly open mind,” Fetterman said.

“We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS. My ‘Yes’ is based on a strong, committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for the security of our nation.”