Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman goes on three minute rant about his ‘inability to fully process language’ and then tears up over claims he’s faced bullying over his disability – amid controversy over change of dress code to suit him

Senator John Fetterman became emotional during a committee hearing and began tearing up as he addressed criticism and ridicule he has faced because of his disability.

Fetterman, 54, spoke before other guests with disabilities at the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on Thursday.

The Pennsylvania Democrat went on a three-minute rant about his “inability to fully process language” related to his hearing problems due to a stroke he suffered before winning the Democratic nomination last year.

“Living in a political environment, I was ridiculed and made fun of because I was sometimes unable to process things,” he said as he broke down in tears in front of the panel.

He started crying as he presented an app that would allow him to “fully participate in this meeting” and communicate with his family members.

“I’m so sorry, I’m sure many of you have had to experience things like this,” Fetterman added. “I admire anyone who has to live with and overcome this kind of struggle.”

He concluded his speech by asking the audience a question: “How can we become more empathetic, responsive, and effective senators?”

The stroke affected his ability to form coherent sentences and participate in press conferences and subsequent debates against his Republican rival, Dr. Mehmet Oz.

This comes amid controversy over his choice of casual clothes instead of a classic suit and tie, which has made the senator a target of Republicans and even some critics who express concerns about whether Fetterman has the cognitive ability to dress.

Fetterman mocked Republicans who mocked and attacked him for his choice of clothing.

He laughed off the blame he’s taking for the Senate’s new dress code, then chuckled when Republicans “lost their minds” on the issue.

“I don’t know why the right seems to be going crazy about it,” the Democratic senator from Pennsylvania told Fox News.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer decided to no longer impose an official “business” dress code for members of the Senate, which many saw as a concession to Fetterman, who is often seen wearing shorts and a hood.

“I think it’s a good thing, but I’m going to use it sparingly,” Fetterman said. ‘I hope that other colleagues will also benefit from it.’

Many were outraged by his bold opposition to the common practice that senators dress professionally when they join the U.S. Senate.

Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed Fetterman’s social media: “It’s a shame that the Senate no longer imposes a dress code for senators to appease Fetterman.

‘Dress code is one of the social norms that determine etiquette and respect for our institutions. Stop lowering the bar!’

Fetterman jokingly told CNN that the criticism was “devastating.”

‘It’s puzzling. I mean, there are certain much more important issues that we should be addressing. Instead of saying, how do I dress like a bum,” he said.

Fetterman, who won Pennsylvania’s Senate seat last year, giving Democrats a 51-49 majority in the Senate, unashamedly wears shorts as he goes about his duties.

The senator has dealt with a number of health issues, including a hospitalization for dizziness and clinical depression earlier this year. He is said to still have auditory processing issues due to a stroke he suffered in May 2022.

In recent months there have been calls for other politicians apparently suffering from medical conditions to resign.

In August, the Democrat demanded term limits after Mitch McConnell froze again.

The 81-year-old Senate minority leader did not respond for 30 seconds as he suddenly stopped speaking in the middle of a press event in Kentucky.

It echoes a similar episode that occurred in July during a news conference at the Capitol and comes just months after McConnell suffered a concussion and broken rib when he tripped and hit his head at the DC Waldorf Astoria and was hospitalized for treatment.

That followed the series of health problems of 90-year-old Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein.

“For God’s sake, the family, friends, and staff of Senators Feinstein and McConnell are doing them and our country a tremendous disservice,” Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“It’s time for term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court, and for some basic human decency.”

Feinstein was hospitalized earlier in August after traveling and fell at her San Francisco home.

She was released after tests showed she was doing well, but the latest health incident raised more questions about her ability to perform her duties as a senator.

Her many absences since the start of the year have hampered the ability of the majority of Democrats to move nominations through the Judiciary Committee.