Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) commended the Republican Party over its support for the expulsion of former GOP Rep. George Santos.
Continuing a recent trend of amiability toward Republicans, Fetterman called their vote to expel Santos “principled,” contrasting it to the Democrats’ treatment of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) in an interview with Fox News.
“I don’t know,” Fetterman answered when asked why more Democrats haven’t called for Menendez’s expulsion after the New Jersey senator was federally indicted based on accusations he used his position to enrich himself and his wife via foreign governments. “But what I can say is that Santos was expelled, and Republicans did the right thing on that. That actually cost them a seat. So I thought that was a principled stand.”
Fetterman has been the most outspoken Democrat in the Senate against Menendez, warning that not forcibly removing him could hurt the chamber’s reputation.
“And now he’s been credibly accused of being a foreign agent for three nations,” Fetterman answered when asked about Menendez. “In fact, two of them are critical and negotiation partners in the Gaza situation with Hamas. And how is this individual allowed to attend classified briefings on that? It’s astonishing. And it’s been frustrating where someone’s more concerned that I could wear a hoodie. That’s why this seems to be more urgent, making sure that the Senate reputation isn’t damaged.”
Earlier this month, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he was disappointed in Menendez but that he would not support a resolution calling for his expulsion. When pressed on the matter, he avoided agreeing to expel the longtime senator.
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“As I’ve said, the Senate has standards,” Schumer said when pressed. “We should all be living up to those standards. I’m deeply disappointed Sen. Menendez has not.”
Fetterman has gone against leadership by repeatedly calling for Menendez’s expulsion, leveling insults against the New Jersey Democrat along the way.