Staff Reports
Senator John Fetterman, the towering figure from Pennsylvania’s Democratic party, has come down with a case of COVID-19, and, despite the lightweight nature of the symptoms, he still finds himself in the unfortunate position of potentially missing crucial Senate votes during these final days before the August recess. Fetterman, who seems to have a penchant for dramatic timing, announced that he will be “working from home” and dutifully following the recommended CDC guidelines—because nothing says “responsible leadership” quite like working in your pajamas.
The Senate, in these waning days before a break, is gearing up to vote on a couple of surveillance-related bills—the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act and the Kids Online Safety Act—which are, in a rare moment of bipartisanship, expected to sail through without much fuss. So, although Fetterman’s absence would give his peers an opportunity to enjoy a little peaceful legislative maneuvering, it’s unlikely to have any real impact on the outcome; bipartisan bills are about as exciting as watching paint dry, after all.
After a busy week in D.C., I’ve tested positive for COVID-19 and am experiencing mild symptoms.
I’m grateful to be fully vaccinated and will be working from home, following the appropriate CDC guidance.
— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) July 28, 2024
Fetterman took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude for being fully vaccinated while announcing his condition. Apparently, in addition to being fully vaccinated, he now believes he is also COVID-19 proof. It’s worth noting that while Fetterman struggles through mild symptoms, he seems just fine with a few obligatory tweets aimed at reassuring his constituents, perhaps while convalescing on the couch with his favorite streaming service.
The current spike in COVID-19 cases across the country adds a layer of flavor to this situation. With 14% of tests returning positive nationwide, the senator isn’t the only one catching this virus. Meanwhile, states like Maryland and Virginia are reporting “very high” and “high” levels, respectively. It seems COVID-19 is making a comeback, and Fetterman is the latest headline in this ongoing saga, even if he claims he’s not seriously impacted.
As Fetterman’s illness plunges him into the world of remote work—no pants required—the nation can only sit back and observe whether this absence will affect his party’s objectives. His colleagues might be breathing a little easier should they find themselves voting on legislation without the specter of Fetterman’s larger-than-life presence casting doubt over their proposed measures. Perhaps this is just what the Senate needed—a little less Fetterman, a little more legislation that could hopefully pave a more sensible path forward. But then again, who would want to miss out on the opportunity to see democracy in action?
