WASHINGTON — John Fetterman is not a typical U.S. senator.
Other senators don't stand out in height like him – he's 6 feet-8 inches tall, which is uncommon.
Most senators don't dress in a hoodie and shorts like Fetterman does, which caused the Senate to create a dress code. Also, others don't talk openly about their health issues like he does, including a stroke two years ago and a six-week hospital stay last year for depression.
Two years after suffering a stroke during his U.S. Senate campaign, and 14 months after being in the hospital for clinical depression, Fetterman has settled into his role as an unconventional senator.
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said, “He’s one of the most exciting senators that’s come through the Senate in the 10 years I’ve been here. He is a bit of a rock star. He has become, in many ways, even more impactful as a result of his stroke. … He is an inspiring figure now, more so than he already was and I think his moral voice has only grown stronger.”
Some of Fetterman’s views, such as his support for Israel as it responds to an attack by Hamas, have upset many progressives who previously supported him.
Former U.S. Rep. Paul McHale, D-Pa., said, “They look at his physical appearance, they look at his blunt approach and too often they conclude that because he’s a maverick, he will be a progressive. To be an anti-establishment candidate does not mean one must be a progressive. He is anti-establishment without being on the fringe of progressive politics.
Significantly different than before
Two years after the stroke, his ability to serve in the U.S. Senate — an issue during the campaign — is no longer a concern. The major change seems to be his continued use of a talk-to-text app on his phone to make it easier to follow conversations and respond to the speaker.
“Certainly from where it was two years ago to today is significantly different in terms of where he’s at, how he’s able to go about his business,” said Christopher Borick, a political science professor at Muhlenberg College.
Fetterman now appears on Sunday talk shows, is active on the social media platform X, and has impromptu meetings with reporters in the halls of Congress.
U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, a former administrator for Susquehanna Health System in Williamsport, said he has noticed the changes in Mr. Fetterman’s health over the last two years.
“Having worked in rehabilitation for 28 years, I’m really happy for him with the recovery that he’s made,” said Mr. Thompson, R-Centre. “That was a difficult stroke that he had experienced. … My observation is he really has overcome a lot and his recovery has been really significant.”
Speaking on CBS’s “Mornings” show last month, Fetterman compared the talk-to-text device to someone wearing eyeglasses.
“Fortunately, my thinking ability wasn't affected by the stroke,” Fetterman said. “But it helps me communicate more accurately in interviews and similar situations.”
His openness about his depression and treatment has earned him praise in the Senate and beyond, has enabled him to inspire others to seek help as he did, and has contributed to reducing the stigma around mental illness.
‘A very influential voice’
“He has emerged as a powerful advocate on issues important to the people of Pennsylvania in a way that no one expected, and not even he could have predicted that he would be providing a lesson to the country on how to handle a stroke, overcome the resulting challenges, and do so in a way that makes you not just a policy voice but a moral voice,” Booker said.
Fellow first-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont, one of his closest friends in Washington, said Fetterman’s openness about his post-stroke depression and treatment goes against the norm on Capitol Hill.
“Senators are pretty sensitive about their public image,” Welch said. “They want to display the best and hide the worst. John is not like that. … There is widespread praise for how John handled it. That helped because a lot of people feel very hesitant and afraid to reveal that they’re struggling with mental health issues. That gets in the way of recovery.”
Welch and another freshman, conservative Alabama U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, have bonded with Fetterman. Both visited him in the hospital. The three have dinner together when they’re in Washington.
“He has that wonderful Fetterman ability to collaborate with people on the opposite side of the aisle,” Welch said.
Over 50 years ago, Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern removed his running mate, U.S. Sen. Tom Eagleton, from the ticket because the Missouri Democrat had been hospitalized for depression.
“Because a candidate has had psychiatric care for depression, in my opinion, should not prevent that candidate from serving in public office once he or she addresses the underlying medical condition,” McHale said. “I would hope that if the events of 1972 were replayed, (Eagleton) would not be dropped from the ticket.”
Fetterman has also made an impact in other unconventional ways. His fashion style irked some of his colleagues from both sides of the aisle, so the Senate implemented a formal dress code. Fetterman wears a suit when he presides over the chamber or goes onto the Senate floor; otherwise he stands in the doorway and gets the attention of the clerk to cast his vote.
He was the rare lawmaker who challenged a member of his own party, and was the first senator to demand the resignation of fellow Democratic U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez from the neighboring state of New Jersey after his indictment on corruption charges. Fetterman compared Mr. Menendez to Tony Soprano, the fictional New Jersey mob boss.
Welch commented that his friend appears to be enjoying himself and described him as modest, straightforward, and genuine.
After Menendez announced he wouldn’t run for re-election as a Democrat, Fetterman supported U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., for the Senate seat instead of Tammy Murphy, wife of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. Murphy later withdrew from the race.
Kim mentioned their differences, such as his preference for Wawa and Fetterman's preference for Sheetz. He also highlighted Fetterman's decisiveness and his own independent decision to run for the Senate seat without seeking permission.
Jim Manley, a former top aide to then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, acknowledged Fetterman's unconventional approach in a legislative body known for its traditions.
Speaking from his 21 years of experience in the Senate, he observed that the Senate has undergone significant change, for better or worse, since he worked there years ago, citing Sen. Fetterman as a prime example of this shift.
Unconditional support
Fetterman disappointed some of his progressive supporters when he expressed unwavering support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas, despite breaking an existing ceasefire on Oct. 7 by attacking the Jewish state, resulting in casualties and hostages.
Israel’s retaliatory strikes, which have caused more than 30,000 deaths, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, have sparked calls for a new ceasefire and protests against President Joe Biden, who has insisted that any pause in fighting should also lead to the release of the hostages. Israel claims that at least 10,000 of the casualties were Hamas fighters.
Fetterman has disagreed with Biden when the president criticized Israeli plans to invade Rafah due to concerns about potential civilian casualties.
McHale noted that a less sincere politician might have sought a middle ground, but Sen. Fetterman took a firm stance in support of Israel, demonstrating political courage, even though it may come with a political cost. Whether or not one agrees with his decision, his political bravery is admirable.
That issue has brought a lot of attention to Fetterman, according to Booker.
Booker heard Fetterman speaking authentically on various issues, which has made him the focus of many conversations.
At the same time, Fetterman has promoted some progressive policies, such as advocating for a rule ensuring financial advisers act in their clients’ best interests regarding retirement investments. He is also urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to finalize a rule limiting banks' overdraft charges.
He has used his position on the Senate Agriculture Committee to push for new legislation that renews farm subsidies for the next five years and also includes substantial funding to assist low-income individuals in affording food.
The House version of the farm bill, designed by Thompson, the committee chair, has a significant difference from the Senate version in the generous funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as food stamps. Fetterman, the chair of the food and nutrition subcommittee, was heavily involved in creating that provision, according to Mr. Booker, who also serves on the panel.
Booker mentioned, “He’s making a lasting impact on increasing access to fresh, healthy foods in this farm bill.” “We’ve been advocating for many of these issues, as has the chairwoman [Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow], but it's so great to have him. Symbolically, he is a major influence on these issues that has truly helped to have an immediate effect.”
