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Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, stunned several observers on Wednesday with his opening statement, which was described as halting after he returned to the Senate following an extended period of hospitalization for clinical depression that started in February.
Fetterman, who had a stroke last May while on the campaign trail, resumed his position as the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research.
Online users reacted to a clip of Fetterman’s opening remarks, which were described as choppy, following his extended hospital stay.
Jewels Jones, a podcaster, expressed her concern over the clip, describing it as “frightening,” while Harrison Fields, who is the communications director for Republican Rep. Byron Donalds from Florida, made a joke referencing Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s response to the clip.
.@SenFeinstein right now. https://t.co/sMShJp0JvP pic.twitter.com/abJpV8D40j
— Harrison Fields (@HarrisonWFields) April 19, 2023
“Remember when they scolded you for criticizing a man with a ‘disability’ during his campaign?” reporter Breanna Morelo noted online. “Well—here he is attempting to do his job after coming back from a 2 month vacation…”
Reporter Savannah Hernandez opined on Twitter that she has “heard second graders with better reading abilities than this.”
“This is just sad,” Hernandez added.
“John Fetterman is chairing a senate subcommittee and this was his opening statement. Good lord. This dude is not remotely well or able to do this job. Embarrassing for Pennsylvania,” Outkick’s Clay Travis noted.
Joe Calvello, a spokesperson for Fetterman, told Fox News Digital he thinks it is “a sad but true fact of life that some people seem to get their jollies attacking John for the auditory processing issues resulting from his stroke but they’re just shouting into the wind.”
“Republicans already tried emptying the arsenal attacking John’s health and Pennsylvanians had his back in a big way,” Calvello said. “As a senator, John is fighting for forgotten communities and all of the people of Pennsylvania, regardless of their social media habits.”
Fetterman made his return to Congress on Monday afternoon, but video and photos of his appearance quickly went viral and led to new concerns from Republicans.
The Pennsylvania Democrat showed up in a black hoodie and shorts after six weeks of treatment for clinical depression.
The senator declined to answer any questions from the press as he entered the Capitol, which was one of the few visits since assuming office in January, Fox News reported.
“It’s great to be back. Thank you,” he repeatedly said as he walked into the building.
Democrat Senator John Fetterman refuses to take questions as he returns to the Capitol for the first time since mid-February pic.twitter.com/JyTRQ1sIKe
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 17, 2023
Several conservatives responded to Fetterman’s arrival and appearance.
“Welcome back to John Fetterman, further proof that cognition, speech comprehension, emotional balance, and even showing up for work are no longer necessary for a career in Democrat politics!” Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk noted.
“How could anyone take the calls for @SenFeinstein to step down seriously when the DEMs spend more than a year excusing the deteriorating health of @JohnFetterman? If you supported Fetterman running for Senate or didn’t raise concerns about his health, please take several seats,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) added.
Fox News noted that Fetterman was scheduled to chair the first subcommittee hearing this week after returning from his absence.
On Monday morning, his office issued a statement confirming that Fetterman is set to preside over his inaugural hearing on Wednesday. The statement also criticized Republicans for their efforts to enforce stricter work requirements for individuals receiving food stamp benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“Cut SNAP for families and kids while pushing tax cuts for billionaires?” the brief statement began. “Not on my watch.”
“Sen. Fetterman on Wednesday will chair his first subcommittee hearing in the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research for a hearing will focus specifically on SNAP and the critical assistance it provides to working families through the upcoming Farm Bill,” his office noted further in the press release.
Fetterman’s brain injury following a near-fatal stroke in May 2022 has likely left him with permanent damage, according to his chief of staff.
