# John Fetterman really needs to resign **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 4, 2025, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875 "2025-05-04T22:13:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2026, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/325 "2026-04-23T23:03:48Z")
It’s weird because the bill is literally just for hot rotisserie chicken, and absolutely nothing else. > The amendment would amend the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act by modifying the definition of food to add “hot rotisserie chicken,” according to a joint statement about the bill from Sen. John Fetterman’s (D-Pa.) office. It would not increase funding or SNAP participant eligibility, or “allow all hot foods to be included for purchase.” There’s nothing wrong with it I guess but it’s just weird. And this isn’t just another eccentric action by Fetterman, it’s a true bipartisan effort. > Sens. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) joined Fetterman in backing the amendment. I guess that’s the most bipartisanship possible in today’s political climate. We can get people to agree on rotisserie chicken. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2026, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/326 "2026-04-23T23:06:02Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > It’s weird because the bill is literally just for hot rotisserie chicken, and absolutely nothing else. I mean, most grocery stores these days have a deli counter that serves rotisserie chicken, and it’s usually inexpensive - I believe it’s $6 for a whole chicken where I work. For that price, which is literally cheaper than a Big Mac these days, you get a main course that can easily serve a family with two or three kids. Considering that low-income families might not have the means to cook a whole chicken at home (I grew up poor and there were years when all we had was a microwave and a hot plate), it makes just about as much sense as being able to use food stamps at Papa Murphy’s, and it’s more cost-efficient too. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2026, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/327 "2026-04-23T23:06:11Z")
I have supermarket rotisserie chicken like 3 times a month, and it really is an inexpensive, tasty, and reasonably healthy family meal (plus a couple of sides). It’s totally ridiculous that SNAP doesn’t allow it. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/328 "2026-04-23T23:07:36Z")
I was going to comment just that, it’s a good idea but it seems ridiculously limited, why not let them whatever they need? or if you want to nanny them, forbid buying non-food items. God knows the world will not end if a poor person buys a lobster, a rotisserie chicken or anything else a bit more expensive than ramen. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2026, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/329 "2026-04-23T23:08:41Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > God knows the world will not end if a poor person buys a lobster, a rotisserie chicken or anything else a bit more expensive than ramen. Generally, you _can_ buy lobster with food stamps. (And I don’t judge anyone who does - if you want to spend the limited amount you get each month on a little treat, that’s your prerogative.) The dividing line is that it can’t generally be used to buy foods that are hot and ready to eat - so you can buy a take-and-bake pizza, or a rotisserie chicken that’s been cooked and then cooled, but not one that’s fresh out of the oven. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2026, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/330 "2026-04-23T23:10:39Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > I was going to comment just that, it’s a good idea but it seems ridiculously limited, why not let them whatever they need? That’s the reason why it seems so weird. It’s true though that it’s extremely affordable, is ready to eat, it’s very healthy, and very filling. When I was poor it was a staple and I still buy it because it’s delicious and convenient. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2026, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/331 "2026-04-23T23:12:29Z")
I see, thanks!. Still nonsensical to stop poor people from buying a hot meal though. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2026, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/332 "2026-04-23T23:14:23Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Still nonsensical to stop poor people from buying a hot meal though. Welcome to the American Protestant work ethic. The trend these days has been toward states banning EBT recipients from buying certain foods with it, because I guess poor people have to suffer in order to learn that God hates them for being poor. > **[Ohio bans sugary drinks for SNAP recipients](https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2026/04/12/sugary-soda-like-drinks-banned-using-snap-benefits--but-other-options-are-available-)** > > SNAP recipients will soon no longer be able to buy sugary carbonated drinks using SNAP benefits. > **[SNAP bans on soda, candy and other foods take effect in five states Jan. 1 | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/30/health/snap-restrictions-begin)** > > Starting Thursday, Americans in five states who get government help paying for groceries will see new restrictions on soda, candy and other foods they can buy with those benefits. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2026, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/333 "2026-04-23T23:40:14Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Still nonsensical to stop poor people from buying a hot meal though. The idea is that legitimately poor people cannot afford prepared food. I’m not defending that idea, just presenting the rationale behind the existing law. The reason for making an exception for rotisserie chicken is that a cooked whole bird is often a loss-leader in U.S. groceries, thus cheaper than a fresh uncooked chicken of the same weight. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2026, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/334 "2026-04-23T23:42:30Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > The idea is that legitimately poor people cannot afford prepared food. And by god we are not going to let them! (I understand the thinking behind it, it’s still nonsensical) ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2026, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/335 "2026-04-24T00:10:29Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > There’s nothing wrong with it I guess but it’s just weird. And this isn’t just another eccentric action by Fetterman, it’s a true bipartisan effort. > > . . . > > I guess that’s the most bipartisanship possible in today’s political climate. We can get people to agree on rotisserie chicken. Getting this back to Fetterman, it is a centrist idea. Progressives might vote for it, but they won’t be co-sponsors because of wanting to make the program a lot less restrictive rather than just liberalizing at one edge. And hard-core Trumpers are against helping the poor, period. Having Democratic Party senatorial centrists like Fetterman, or, previously, Manchin and Sinema, without real Republican equivalents, is unfortunate AKA sucks. But we would be better off it there was an equal and significant number of Democratic and Republican Fettermans. Many laws have obscure provisions that need tweaking because of some small change in society. Cooked chicken having become frequently cheaper than fresh is a mundane but real example. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2026, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/336 "2026-04-24T00:13:44Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > There’s nothing wrong with it I guess but it’s just weird. Big Rotisserie Chicken lobby strikes again. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2026, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/337 "2026-04-24T02:52:52Z")
I suspect the “no hot prepared ready-to-eat foods” rule exists to keep people from at least trying to use their SNAP cards at restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2026, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/338 "2026-04-24T03:04:19Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > > [@Atamasama](#): > > > > There’s nothing wrong with it I guess but it’s just weird. > > Big Rotisserie Chicken lobby strikes again. I was trying to come up with a joke or pun around that idea but the closest I got is that he’ll be accused of being a shill for AICLUCK ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/339 "2026-04-25T03:08:23Z")
Has Fetterman ever caused problems for Democratic leadership? Has his vote ever flipped the outcome? If not, I shrug. Fetterman is from a swing state and is tacking to center. Yawn. But he lacks the cognition to pull it off effectively. I don’t like primarying Dems, but if he doesn’t resign before his term runs out, he should be primaried. But I don’t currently bear him the ill will that I’m reading here. It’s an unfortunate medical situation. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/340 "2026-04-25T03:13:41Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Has Fetterman ever caused problems for Democratic leadership? Yes, he has. > [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Fetterman break ranks with Dems to push Markwayne? ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2026, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/341 "2026-04-25T03:34:48Z")
Sincere thanks @needscoffee: that was a consequential vote. But I couldn’t find any evidence online that it caused problems for the Democratic Leadership. It did attract attacks by Democratic _House_ members. Radio silence from Fetterman’s Senate colleagues. Corrections welcome. In the articles that I skimmed online, I couldn’t find evidence that [action hero and prevaricator](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/markwaynes-world-the-cinematic-and-fantastical-life-of-trumps-dhs-pick) Markwayne Mullin would be worse than ~~ICE Barbie~~ Christie Noem. And I doubt whether any temporary deputy appointed by Trump would be better. I want a Senate majority. That means supporting popular moderates. Fetterman is tacking moderate, but really isn’t popular. So I’m open to alternatives, but I lack the angst. Politics is about power. I do have bright lines. Filibuster and SCOTUS reform are mandates. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/342 "2026-04-27T04:00:40Z")
Dammit! Now I’m craving one of them Greasy-Ass Chickens! ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/343 "2026-04-27T04:10:37Z")
Thank you for the “-”, I really didn’t want to ask what an ass chicken was. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2026, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875/344 "2026-04-28T15:38:20Z")
[_The Hill_: Fetterman: Democrats should ‘drop the TDS,’ fund Trump ballroom after shooting](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5850733-fetterman-white-house-ballroom/) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-fetterman-really-needs-to-resign/1017875.md?page=18)