(RepublicanWire.org) – 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.
Things went about as smoothly as you’d expect, with the Pennsylvania Democrat struggling through his opening remarks. Video of the proceedings raised continuing concerns about Fetterman’s well-being as he struggled to read even basic statements.
The process of greeting members of the subcommittee and discussing the benefits of the SNAP program proved too much.
Things didn’t exactly improve as the hearing moved forward.
Online users reacted to a clip of Fetterman’s opening remarks.
“Nothing says John Fetterman isn’t fit to serve quite like him attempting to chair a committee hearing today,” tweeted comedian Tim Young. “This is pathetic and Democrats should be ashamed of themselves for continuing to wheel him out.”
“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.”
“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.
Fetterman’s speech didn’t exactly put to rest speculation that he is not fit to serve in Congress. He is clearly still suffering residual effects from a stroke he suffered last May.
