The Washington Post detailed that Fetterman is also rejecting meeting requests and does not attend senators' weekly lunches. The scenario has encouraged some Republicans to consider the possibility of luring Fetterman to their party, which would further solidify their majority in the Upper House.
The outlet noted that the conservative Club for Growth ran an add in Pennsylvania urging the senator to vote for Republicans' spending bill. Fetterman, however, has repeatedly said he will never join the Republican party.
Some Democratic senators have downplayed any potential tensions, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying Fetterman is a "good legislator." Party whip Dick Durbin said he is in regular touch with him ahead of votes and that reported uncertainty about his decisions are not unusual.
Concern about Fetterman's mental health largely jumped to the forefront of the public conversation after two episodes. The latest one was a reported outburst during a meeting with union officials.
The Associated Press detailed that the episode took place weeks ago as Fetterman met with representatives from a Pennsylvania teachers union. The senator began shouting and questioning why "everybody is mad at me" before slamming his hands on a desk and asking "why does everyone hate me, what did I ever do."
Another witness of the episode recalled that a staffer quickly ended the meeting, escorting officials into a hallway before breaking down crying. The woman was comforted by union officials who were also rattled by the incident.
Days earlier, New York Magazine published feature that included multiple testimonies from former staff and advisers outlining their own concerns about Fetterman. The piece included a letter from former chief of staff Adam Jentleson, who told a neuropsychiatrist who had treated Fetterman for depression that he appeared to be off his recovery plan, detailing "long, rambling, repetitive and self-centered monologues."
Fetterman dismissed the piece as a "one-source hit piece and some anonymous sources," adding that there are no people concerned about his mental health. Regarding the outburst at the union meeting, the senator said in a statement that they "had a spirited conversation about our collective frustration with the Trump administration's cuts to our education system."
However, The Hill reported last week that two senators are talking with colleagues about the best way to help Fetterman, saying the stress coming from being a member of the Upper House could be taking a toll.
"Every time I see him, I'm worried about him," one of the senators told the outlet. Requesting anonymity to speak candidly, the lawmaker said "we're all in touch with each other having conversations about how to intervene."
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