Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick faced off in a televised “Senate showdown” hosted by Fox News, exchanging views on key issues while maintaining a friendly, respectful tone.
The senators discussed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with McCormick defending its proposed Medicaid reforms and Fetterman opposing them. Fetterman argued the bill’s provisions would harm programs like Medicaid and SNAP, though he acknowledged McCormick’s good intentions. He stressed that neither vote makes one “a bad person.”
Fetterman said most Medicaid recipients are vulnerable populations, including children, the disabled, and the elderly. He referenced his wife’s work in Pennsylvania’s food network to highlight his commitment to helping those in genuine need. He noted that nearly 95% of Medicaid payments were proper, with most of the remaining 5% lacking documentation, not evidence of fraud.
McCormick countered that the bill targets fraud and abuse, especially among able-bodied, childless adults taking advantage of the system. He emphasized that the reforms would ensure the program’s solvency and integrity. He added that at least 1.4 million illegal immigrants are receiving Medicaid, which the bill aims to address.
The senators agreed on strengthening border security, endorsing the $60 billion allocation in the bill. Fetterman described current immigration numbers as “chaos” and said illegal crossings matched the population of Pittsburgh. McCormick noted that the U.S. has added the equivalent of Pennsylvania’s population through illegal immigration during the Biden administration.
Both senators also expressed optimism about Nippon Steel’s investment in U.S. Steel. Fetterman said public pressure helped secure better terms, while McCormick praised the involvement of Pennsylvania workers in shaping the final deal.
