FETTERMAN, McCORMICK DISCUSS A RANGE OF ISSUES AT EDWARD KENNEDY INSTITUTE

BOSTON, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- United States Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and David McCormick (R-PA) embodied bipartisanship today at the most recent installment of The Senate Project series at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.
During a wide-ranging and collegial 35-minute discussion in the Institute's full-sized replica of the US Senate Chamber, the Senators touched on — and mostly agreed on — a host of national and international issues. Moderated by FOX News anchor Shannon Bream, the event was the sixth installment of The Senate Project, a joint initiative by the Kennedy Institute and the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation of Utah sponsored by FOX News Media. The event further solidified the Kennedy Institute, with its mission to foster bipartisanship, as the premier forum for cross-aisle discussions about pressing national issues.
The discussion also gave Fetterman the opportunity, in the wake of recent media coverage questioning his fitness to hold office, to display his engagement, focus, and cogency. Through a series of questions ranging from anti-semitism on American campuses, to Israel's right to defend itself and the threat posed by Iran, to Pennsylvania's steel industry and President Trump's economic bill, Fetterman revealed a bipartisan streak and deep grasp of policy details.
Fetterman acknowledged that his support of efforts to secure the border and of Israel have hurt his standing among some Democrats and left-leaning media. He said those positions are behind the "smear" leveled by critics who alleged he is not engaged in his job.
"The more, I started to … be following Israel or the border, and now, really refusing to vote to shut the government down, I've continued to get more and more kinds of incoming (criticism)," he said. "So the more left kind of media continues to have these kinds of attacks, and it's just part of a smear and that's just not accurate. I'm here. I'm doing that job … I've always been there."
"I'll take the beating, because that's I think what defines leadership," Fetterman said.
The Senate Project series brings together sitting US Senators from opposing parties for civil dialogue about current political issues, with the goal of identifying solutions and bridging partisan divides. The series reflects the bipartisanship embodied by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and the shared mission of the Kennedy Institute and Hatch Foundation to advance cooperation between members of both major parties.
"The Senate Project continues to play an important role facilitating dialogue between Democrat and Republican Senators who might not otherwise have the opportunity to discuss and debate critical matters of the day," Kennedy Institute Chairman Bruce Percelay said. "Today's event demonstrates the importance of bipartisan dialogue and we look forward to expanding our role as a convener of leaders from both parties."
Hatch Foundation Executive Director Matt Sandgren added, "Senator Hatch believed the Senate was at its best when disagreement was met with respect and conviction was tempered by civility. The Senate Project continues to prove that principle can thrive even in these divided times. We're grateful to FOX News for extending the conversation beyond the chamber, and to Senators Fetterman and McCormick for showing that serious, respectful debate still has a place in American politics."
Fetterman and McCormick agreed on several issues, including:
The need for sanctions against Russia;
Stronger border security;
The dismantling of Iran's nuclear program; and
Provisions in Nippon Steel's acquisition of US Steel negotiated by the Trump Administration that made the purchase more palatable to the US steel industry.
McCormick noted that Republicans have "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to enact their agenda with control of the White House and both legislative bodies. That agenda, he said, must center on tax cuts, a stronger national defense, and showing "we can begin to reduce the cost of government."
He noted the House's recent passage of President Trump's economic bill and predicted the Senate will try to make further spending cuts in its version.
For his part, Fetterman said he supports parts of Trump's "big, beautiful bill," but does not support cuts to social programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
FOX News' Bream opened the discussion by referencing Sunday's alleged hate crime in Colorado directed against participants in a pro-Israel rally. The discussion quickly turned to instances of antisemitism on US college campuses and other common spaces.
"People follow me and scream 'free Palestine,' " Fetterman said. "The Jewish community is constantly under assault… That's not free speech. Building tent cities on campus and terrorizing Jewish students, that's not free speech."
McCormick agreed that the federal government is right to press universities to combat anti-Jewish attitudes. "We have to require that our institutions extricate themselves from antisemitism," he said.
Both Senators credited Israel for degrading the military capabilities of Hamas and Hezbollah and taking actions to counter Iran's efforts to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons. They also concurred on the need for stiff sanctions against Russia for its continued aggression against Ukraine.
"When I grew up, Russia was always the Evil Empire and that hasn't changed," Fetterman said. He added that the triumvirate of Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, which is facing its own existential threat from China "stand for global democracy. And that's always going to be the side where I'm going to remain."
The Senators said they have built a great relationship as they represent what Fetterman called one of the "most purple" states in the country.
"The same people that elected me elected him for the most part. We've got a lot of overlap," Senator McCormick said, saying both of them care deeply about Pennsylvania and the country.
Previous Senate Project installments at the Kennedy Institute have featured Senators Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, and Bernie Sanders, the liberal Vermont Independent; Jeanne Shaheen, Democrat of New Hampshire, and Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa; and Marco Rubio, then a Republican Senator from Florida, and Chris Coons, Democrat of Delaware.
-30-
Media contact:David ProcopioRegan Communicationsdprocopio@regancomm.com(617) 488-2886
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fetterman-mccormick-discuss-a-range-of-issues-at-edward-kennedy-institute-302471253.html
SOURCE Edward M Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Forbes

7 minutes ago

• Forbes

Icons Of Whiskey: Jacob Beam's Bourbon Dynasty

The Beam range of American whiskeys Photo, courtesy James B Beam Distilling Company Jacob Beam, the founder of what eventually became the James B. Beam Distilling Company, stands as a legendary figure in American whiskey history. His spirit of persistence and craftsmanship continues to shape the bourbon industry today. Now owned by Suntory Global Spirits, Jim Beam remains one of the most recognized names in whiskey worldwide. Below is a closer look at Jacob Beam, an Icon of Whiskey, and the distilling empire he built. Jacob Beam, founder of the Beam whiskey dynasty Photo, courtesy James B Beam Distilling Company Jacob Beam was born on February 9, 1760, to Nicolaus and Margaretha Boehm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The Boehms were German immigrants with deep farming roots who later anglicized their name to Beam. Growing up on the family farm, Jacob developed a strong work ethic and a keen understanding of farming—skills that would serve him well when he began making whiskey. In the 1780s, Jacob moved to Kentucky, settling near Hardin's Creek in what is now Hardin County. There, he set up a farm and a gristmill. Kentucky's fertile soil, plentiful corn, and easy access to the Ohio River made it a perfect place to distill whiskey. Jacob later moved to Bardstown, which was fast becoming a center for distilling—a reputation it still holds today. Although the Beam family lived in Bardstown, they never operated a distillery there. In 1854, the original distillery was relocated to nearby Nelson County, capitalizing on new railroad connections. After Prohibition, the distillery was rebuilt in Clermont, where it remains to this day. Jacob Beam began distilling whiskey in 1795. His early product—a corn-based whiskey—laid the groundwork for what would become bourbon. Initially, the whiskey was for local sale, but demand quickly grew as its quality was recognized. By the early 1800s, he was selling his whiskey as "Old Jake Beam Sour Mash." That brand would eventually evolve into the Jim Beam known today. Jacob Beam's Impact on Bourbon Jacob's success rested on careful craftsmanship. He blended corn, rye, and barley malt to produce whiskey that was smoother and sweeter than many local spirits of the time. That mash bill eventually became the template for bourbon. He aged it in charred oak barrels—a practice that would become standard for bourbon makers everywhere. His focus on refining recipes and scaling up production while maintaining high quality set the Beam family on a steady path to success. Some of Beam's Master Distillers over the company's history Photo, courtesy Jim Beam/Whiskey University Generations of Beam Distillers When Jacob Beam died in 1834, his son David Beam took over. David expanded operations and eventually handed the reins to his son, David B. Beam, who moved the distillery to Nelson County to benefit from rail shipping. That move helped Old Tub, a Beam whiskey, become one of the first nationally known bourbon brands. Eventually, David B. Beam's son, James Beauregard Beam—Jacob's great-grandson—rebranded the whiskey under his name, 'Jim Beam,' honoring the family legacy and ushering in a new era of recognition. When Prohibition struck in 1920, production halted, although limited sales of 'medicinal whiskey' were allowed to continue. Although the Beam distillery didn't have one of the original medicinal whiskey permits, the government later granted a license as supplies dwindled. Operating under the American Medicinal Spirits name, the Beam family continued limited production, preserving their whiskey-making know-how through the dry years. After Prohibition ended in 1933, James B. Beam rebuilt the distillery in Clermont, not far from his Bardstown home. By the 1940s, the brand had experienced rapid growth and established a global presence. In 1945, the company was acquired by Harry Blum, a Chicago-based spirits merchant. It was later sold, in 1967, to American Tobacco, which subsequently changed its name to American Brands in 1969 and later to Fortune Brands. In 1987, the Jim Beam acquired National Distillers, In 2011, Fortune Brands spun off its spirits business as a separate publicly traded company called Beam Inc. The company focused entirely on the whiskey and spirits portfolio, including Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, and other brands. In 2014, Beam Inc. was acquired by Japan's Suntory Holdings for $16 billion—one of the biggest deals in spirits industry history. The company has had nine Master Distillers over its history: Jacob Beam (1795–1834), David Beam (1834–1854), David M. Beam (1854–1894), James B. Beam (1894–1947), T. Jeremiah Beam (1946–1977), Fred Booker Noe II 1960s–1992, Jerry Dalton (1998–2007), Fred Noe (2007–present), and Freddie Noe (2022–present, as co-Master Distillers). The James B Beam Distilling Company Photo, courtesy James B Beam Distilling Company The Role of the Noe Family The Noes are an old Kentucky family with deep roots in the same region where the Beam family settled. They were farmers and distillers, and over generations, they intermarried with the Beam family. The most famous Noe connection is through Booker Noe (Frederick Booker Noe II), one of the legendary master distillers in modern bourbon history. Jim Beam's daughter, Margaret Beam Noe, married into the Noe family. Her son, Booker Noe, was Jim Beam's grandson. He carried both family lines and became the 6th-generation master distiller. Booker's son, Fred Noe, and his grandson Freddie Noe are the current master distillers at Jim Beam. As Beam descendants, they've continued the family's role in running and shaping Jim Beam's distilling operations for the past century. The Noe name is as central to Beam's distilling legacy as the Beam name itself. Booker's Bourbon, named for Booker Noe, is part of this family's innovative imprint on the modern bourbon world. Beam Distilling Today Now under Suntory Global Spirits, the company still honors the values Jacob Beam instilled: quality, innovation, and true bourbon craftsmanship. Beam Suntory owns a portfolio that includes Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, and other iconic names. Today, Jim Beam remains one of the best-selling bourbons in the world—a testament to the vision Jacob Beam sparked in the late 1700s along Hardin's Creek. Jacob Beam's legacy as a trailblazer of American bourbon endures, making him a true Icon of Whiskey. Though ownership has changed hands over the years, the commitment to craft, quality, and family tradition he began remains the backbone of Beam's success and a cornerstone of the whiskey world. The Icons of Whiskey is an ongoing series that highlights the leading historical personalities in the whiskey industry worldwide. More From Forbes Forbes America's Top Bourbon, According To The International Wine & Spirit Competition By Joseph V Micallef Forbes America's Best Bourbon, According To The American Distilling Institute By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The Top Bourbons From The 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition By Joseph V Micallef

American Press

25 minutes ago

• American Press

Joseph 'Joe' Julius LeDoux Sr.

Msg. Joseph Julius LeDoux Sr. (Retired), 84, passed away peacefully with his family by him. Born and raised in Pine Island, La., Joe was a hunter and fisherman helping to provide for his family, but hunting was his passion. Joe went on to enlist in the United States Army. He and some buddies, while stationed in New York, went out on a blind date one night and that is where he met a 'YANKEE' name Phyllis, who later became his wife for 65 years. They faced wonderful times and turbulent times, but their marriage vows were seared into the hearts of each of them. Joe and Phyllis raised three great children. He enjoyed sharing history with his family, he and his family traveled to locations of American History. Joe Spent 22 years in the military in some form or fashion with active service and reserves. On Sept. 11, when the country was attacked, Joe was in a room with others at the Pentagon where they left that room approximately 20 minutes before the plane flew into the Pentagon, into that very room. Joe is survived by his wonderful wife, Phyllis LeDoux; a daughter, Kim Marie Garland; two sons, Joseph Julius LeDoux II and Dale Anthony LeDoux; four sisters, Shirley Shaw, Jane Ruff, Juanita Ardoin, and Veronica LeBlanc; sister-in-law, Laura LeDoux; two grandchildren, Kyle LeDoux and Haley LeDoux; six great-grandchildren, Cooper, Tiffani, Brittany, Joanna, Camilla, and Michael; four great-great-grandchildren, Tyreek, Arriana, Brandon, and Brianna. Preceding him in death is his sister, Anna Faul; three brothers, Paul LeDoux, James LeDoux, and John LeDoux; grandson, Michael Garner, and his parents, Eugene and Hannah LeDoux. The family will welcome relatives and friends on Monday, June 23, 2025 at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles beginning at 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. with a rosary to prayed at 5 p.m. Visitation will resume on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 11 a.m. until the procession leaves for the church at 2 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady Queen of Heaven at 2:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Pine Island Cemetery. Msgr. Daniel Torres will officiate at the services. The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Heart of Hospice and the family and friends who assisted with Joe's care. Please leave fond memories for the LeDoux family at

Yahoo

34 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Shasti Conrad wins open DNC vice chair position after Hogg fallout

Washington State Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad won the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) second open vice chair position Friday after members voted to redo the election amid significant inner turmoil over David Hogg's role within the party. Conrad won the spot with almost 56 percent of the vote over DNC member Kalyn Free in a runoff election that took place from Wednesday to Friday. Kansas Democratic Party Chair Jeanna Repass had initially been eliminated from contention for the seat in the first round of voting after no candidate received a majority of DNC members' votes. Conrad finished the first round ahead of Free and Repass, reportedly with 44 percent of the vote to Free's 37 percent and Repass's 20 percent. Free's complaint in February over the way that the DNC's vice chair election was run started the process that resulted in Hogg losing his position as vice chair. Conrad joins Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D), who was first elected vice chair in the winter and won the redo election Saturday to reclaim his post, filling out the DNC's last two vice chair roles. The Washington state Democrat, a South Asian millennial, said in a statement that she's honored to serve as vice chair, underscoring her commitment to provide more opportunities for young people to get involved and to ensure Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have a seat at the table. 'This was the longest election in DNC history, and every vote cast reflected our shared belief in building a stronger, more inclusive Democratic Party,' she said. DNC Chair Ken Martin called Conrad a 'trailblazer' who understands the importance of hard work to ensure Democrats win up and down the ballot. He said Conrad helped Washington be the only state in the country to buck a red wave across the ballot. 'She is also the first AAPI chair in the contiguous 48 states and is deeply committed to the DNC's mission of organizing everywhere, year round,' he said. 'As a former state party chair and [Association of State Democratic Committees] president myself, I look forward to working with her to continue bolstering our state party infrastructure and strengthening and broadening our Democratic coalition.' Free, a DNC member since 2019 from Oklahoma, argued in her complaint that the February election that selected Hogg and Kenyatta as vice chairs was improperly conducted and gave the male candidates an unfair advantage. The DNC Credentials Committee recommended redoing the election last month, and the full membership of the DNC voted overwhelmingly to hold another election last week. The controversy concerning the election was procedural, but it came at a time when Hogg, who rose to prominence as a gun control activist, was in the midst of a firestorm over his group, Leaders We Deserve, pushing to primary certain longtime House Democratic incumbents. His moves caused significant backlash among DNC leadership and contributed to a wider conversation of generational change within the party. After the DNC voted to hold the vice chair election again, Hogg announced he wouldn't seek his vice chair position a second time, wanting to allow the party to 'focus on what really matters.' He said building the strongest party possible will be his 'number one mission.' Kenyatta won support from almost all voting members as he was unopposed in his election, which took place Thursday to Saturday. The position was specifically for male candidates, and Kenyatta was the only male candidate eligible to run again. Female candidates were eligible for the second election, which ran from Sunday to Tuesday. Both the DNC and Republican National Committee have rules requiring some amount of gender balance in its leadership positions. Updated at 6:32 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.