Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) voted to confirm Pam Bondi as attorney general on Wednesday, becoming the only Democrat to do so.
Fetterman has voted to confirm several of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees. Some of his “yes” votes include closer confirmations, such as Bondi and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner, for which he and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) were the only Democrats to vote “yes.”
Fetterman has shown a willingness to meet with Trump and his nominees. He said he has an open mind regarding the picks and that he will vote for candidates he believes are qualified, regardless of political affiliation.
“I believe I am the only Democrat, or maybe one of the only few that have actually met with all of [Trump’s nominees],” Fetterman said in an appearance on Fox News on Sunday. “I’ve approached all of them with an open mind to have a conversation. I’ve maintained an ongoing dialogue, and I’ve watched these hearings. That is part of the process.”
Even if Fetterman votes against Trump’s nominees, his willingness to talk to them shows he is at least willing to compromise with Republicans on some issues.
Fetterman has clashed with other members of his party regarding his stances on Israel and immigration. He was one of 12 Democratic senators to vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act and was one of the only Democratic senators present at the signing.
Fetterman did not say how he plans to vote on the confirmations of Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., or Kash Patel. The Pennsylvania senator said he met with Kennedy multiple times.
“I’ve invested a lot of time to really understand his background and to learn more about the man,” Fetterman said. “I’ve sat down with him twice in my office to have a conversation. Whatever the vote comes down on, it’s going to come from an informed view.”
Even though Fetterman is not likely to vote in favor of Kennedy’s confirmation, his current voting record leaves matters in doubt.
One reason to think Fetterman may vote for Kennedy’s confirmation is that they met twice. If Fetterman had made up his mind, there would have been no reason for a second meeting.
Republicans need all the votes they can get on the Gabbard and Kennedy confirmations. The committee votes were split along party lines, and there is doubt about whether they can shore up the support of the other centrist Republicans. If another Republican joins the three “no” votes from the Pete Hegseth hearings, the confirmation will almost certainly fail.
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If Fetterman breaks ranks and sides with the Republicans, however, confirmation would be much more likely.
Fetterman is possibly the biggest Democratic swing vote in the Senate. His vote could determine the outcome of Gabbard’s and Kennedy’s confirmations.