Democratic Senator John Fetterman (PA) has defended his vote to advance a deal to reopen the government, arguing that the “mass chaos” of the longest modern government shutdown forced Senate Democrats to act.

Fetterman was one of eight Democrats to break with most of their caucus, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, to vote late Sunday to move forward on a short-term funding bill. The deal includes a promise from GOP leadership to hold a vote next month on extending expiring health insurance tax credits—a key Democratic demand.

The Senator told CBS News that the severity of the crisis—including disruptions to air travel, uncertainty over the SNAP food assistance program, and missed paychecks—convinced enough colleagues that the shutdown “has to end.”

Rejecting accusations from some

See Full Page