Fetterman Warns Against Shutdown as Storms Threaten East Coast

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., warned his Democrat colleagues to not let the government shut down as two storms potentially threaten the East Coast. 

Fetterman said he’s concerned that pausing government funding could harm response efforts to Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Storm Imelda, according to the New York Post.  

“If you have a Cat 5 storm that’s now facing our nation, why would you even have that conversation right now?” said Fetterman on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.” “I sure [hope] things work out, and we don’t shut our government down.” 

There will be a partial shutdown after 11:59 p.m. Tuesday if Congress doesn’t pass the fiscal year 2026 budget or a continuing resolution. However, Democrats and Republicans are in a gridlock over key health care policies. 

Hurricane Humberto grew into a Category 5 storm Saturday but eventually downgraded to a Category 4 storm Sunday morning, reported the National Weather Service. It’s currently moving out to sea. According to the National Weather Service, the dual storms could “generate dangerous high surf, rip currents and coastal flooding up and down the Eastern Seaboard from Florida to New England.”

If the government does partially shut down, Federal Emergency Management Agency employees must still work, but the agency won’t be able to renew or sell vital flood insurance policies.

“I’m at, where I have always been, and I will always remain on is, it is always, always wrong to shut our government down,” Fetterman said. “That is a core responsibility. I’m always going to vote against those things. … And if it’s the Republican side or now it’s our side, I’m going to condemn it.”

President Donald Trump will meet with the top four leaders in Congress Monday afternoon for negotiations to avert a shutdown.