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Sen. John Fetterman is rejecting suggestions that he is breaking with the Democratic Party, insisting he remains committed even as his positions continue to draw backlash from progressives over issues like border enforcement, cooperation with Republicans, and his strong backing of Israel.

In an opinion column published Thursday in The Washington Post, Fetterman addressed the criticism head-on, arguing that his principles have remained consistent despite claims that he has shifted politically. The Pennsylvania senator said his willingness to collaborate across party lines and occasionally align with the Trump administration has fueled misplaced concerns.

“Being an independent voice that works with the other side to deliver for Pennsylvanians might put me at odds with the party that I have stayed committed to and have no plans to leave — but I will continue to put the commonwealth and the country first,” Fetterman wrote. “Plus, I’d be a terrible Republican who still votes overwhelmingly with Democrats.”

The essay, titled “John Fetterman: I haven’t changed. Here’s what has,” was framed as a direct rebuttal to growing talk that he is distancing himself from Democrats as the party moves further left, particularly on immigration and support for Israel.

Fetterman maintained that many of the stances drawing criticism today were once widely accepted within the party.

“My values have not changed, and I have always turned to those kinds of ideals that defined being a Democrat,” he wrote. “I refuse to cave on my conscience because Pennsylvania deserves someone who is honest and can work across the aisle.”

Reflecting on his early political career as mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania, Fetterman said his focus was always on delivering tangible help to working-class residents, not engaging in partisan maneuvering.

“I wasn’t interested in playing political games. I wanted to help deliver change,” Fetterman wrote, adding that he still believes government should focus on results instead of ideological warfare.

He also criticized what he described as a reflexive tendency among Democrats to oppose President Donald Trump on nearly every issue.

“My party cannot simply be the opposite of whatever President Donald Trump says,” he wrote. “The president could come out for ice cream and lazy Sundays, and my party would suddenly hate them.”

Fetterman defended his stance on immigration, including support for stricter enforcement measures aimed at curbing illegal crossings and deporting violent offenders.

“I strongly believe that someone who comes here illegally and commits a violent crime should be deported. Full stop,” he wrote.

He further justified his votes to avert government shutdowns, arguing that Democrats should not have allowed federal workers or national security operations to be jeopardized over political disputes.

On international matters, Fetterman reiterated his firm support for Israel and voiced approval for efforts targeting Iran and its allied terror organizations, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

“These once-common views have become increasingly toxic in the Democratic Party,” he wrote, blaming “the fringe and agitated parts of our base.”

Despite the pushback he has faced, Fetterman emphasized that he continues to back core liberal priorities, stating that he remains “strongly pro-choice, pro-weed, pro-LGBT, pro-SNAP, pro-labor.”

He also pointed to his bipartisan efforts with Republican colleagues on issues such as infrastructure, mental health services, and nutrition assistance, arguing that constituents expect practical solutions rather than ongoing political conflict.

{Matzav.com}

A political storm is brewing after comments attributed to Ateres Shlomo Rosh Yeshiva Hagaon Rav Chaim Feinstein, with a sitting member of Knesset calling for financial repercussions against the yeshiva he leads.

MK Vladimir Beliak of the Yesh Atid party sent an urgent letter on Thursday to Tax Authority Director Attorney Shay Aharonovitch, urging him to revoke the Section 46 tax-deductible status granted to donations made to Yeshiva Ateres Shlomo in Eretz Yisroel.

The request follows sharp remarks made by the rosh yeshiva, Hagaon Rav Chaim Feinstein, during a recent gathering of roshei yeshiva and rabbonim in the south addressing the issue of drafting bnei yeshiva into chareidi army frameworks.

In his letter, Beliak pointed to statements attributed to Rav Feinstein and cited in Channel 12 News, in which the rosh yeshiva said: “We must understand what we are facing — this is a terrible war, the enemy is not playing games.”

Earlier this week, a major gathering of roshei yeshiva and rabbonim from southern communities took place, at which Rav Feinstein delivered a powerful and uncompromising address warning of the dangers posed by enlistment initiatives targeting the chareidi public. His words generated significant reaction and were widely reported across the general media.

Letters of support for the gathering were also sent by leading gedolei Yisroel, including HaGaon Rav Dov Landau, HaGaon Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman and HaGaon Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch.

Senior figures within the chareidi political parties strongly pushed back against the move, declaring: “The attempt to use economic terrorism to silence the cry of Torah emanating from the mouths of gedolei Torah will not succeed. These are Soviet-style tactics imported from the exile, and the gedolei Yisroel will continue to proclaim the daas Torah clearly and without fear.” They added that there had even been “a disgraceful attempt to silence voices” by inserting a provision into proposed draft legislation that would make a yeshiva’s eligibility for arrangements contingent on preventing roshei yeshiva from speaking out against the draft.

{Matzav.com}

Governor Kathy Hochul informed representatives of Agudath Israel of America on Thursday that New York State will take part in the federal Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), a sweeping initiative expected to generate $5 billion annually in K-12 scholarships nationwide starting in 2027.

The update was delivered during a closed-door meeting at the Manhattan offices of Outerstuff, hosted by Agudah Chairman of the Board Mr. Shloime Werdyger.

ECCA was enacted earlier this year after President Trump signed it into law as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The framework mirrors tax credit scholarship programs already operating in more than 20 states across the country.

Under the legislation, individuals who contribute to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) will receive a full federal tax credit for their donations. Those organizations will then distribute scholarships that families can apply toward private school tuition and other qualified educational costs.

Beginning next year, residents in participating states will be eligible for the federal credit when donating to approved scholarship funds. These funds will in turn provide K-12 financial assistance to qualifying students. Contributions are capped at $1,700 per individual each year, and the program carries no overall national funding limit, having been written as a permanent part of the federal tax code.

Qualification for scholarships will depend on income thresholds that vary by region. Agudath Israel indicated that, based on current guidelines, a large percentage of frum households are likely to qualify for assistance under the program.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is seeing a rise in early indicators for the next presidential race, with both polling trends and prediction market activity pointing to increased momentum for the Florida Republican.

Rubio, who previously ran for president in 2016, has recently moved to the top spot on Kalshi’s market projections, with a 19% probability of winning the presidency, reflecting growing confidence among investors.

For months, expectations have centered on Vice President JD Vance as the leading Republican contender to follow President Donald Trump. Vance remains a strong presence in the market, currently holding 17% odds.

Just behind them is Gavin Newsom, with Kalshi participants assigning him a 16% chance of winning the presidency.

Further down the list are Jon Ossoff at 6%, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 5%, and Kamala Harris, also at 5%.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis currently sits at 2%, though some observers suggest he could still attract interest as an underdog candidate.

Rubio’s improving position has coincided with his expanded role in the administration, where he has taken on a range of responsibilities and drawn attention for his composed and understated style.

Even with his gains in overall presidential projections, Rubio is still viewed as trailing Vance in the Republican primary contest. However, the difference between them has begun to shrink.

Vance continues to lead the GOP field with 38% odds, but Rubio has climbed to 27%, a significant jump from the single-digit range he occupied as recently as December 2025.

DeSantis also remains a distant contender in the primary outlook, holding at 4%.

President Donald Trump had previously signaled confidence in Rubio’s potential, remarking last year that a ticket featuring Vance and Rubio would be “unstoppable,” though he did not specify which of the two should lead it.

{Matzav.com}