So Brian Fitzpatrick voted no to Trump’s budget abomination this second time around. Huge shout out and applause to those who rallied, who took part in the “die-in,” who hand delivered letters, who called, who emailed in protest. It may have persuaded Fitz to change his vote, I hope it had some influence, but in the end, his “no” vote didn’t matter. And that’s the point. Fitz is no John McCain. McCain’s lone “no” vote torpedoed Trump’s attempt to repeal the ACA in 2017. Fitz’s “no” vote accomplished nothing. The fix was in. The measure passed 218-214. In May, on the other hand, the budget measure squeaked by 215-214. Fitz voted in favor. That’s when he could have made a difference. That could have been Fitz’s McCain moment, his vote of courage, a vote for his constituents. Instead, he toed the party line. There has been a lot of press about Fitz’s “no” vote, like he was some kind of maverick, but in reality, it was meaningless. It was moot. It was calculated political window dressing to appear bipartisan in a way that did not jeopardize the passing of the bill, and which he will surely loudly promote as he runs for re-election in 2026. Don’t be fooled. Fitz is no McCain. We must not forget his “yes” vote in May, when it mattered, when he could have been like McCain and blocked this abomination. It is telling that Trump rained criticism on McCain for his “no” vote, yet has said nothing about Fitz. Trump knows window dressing when he sees it. May the protests, the demonstrations, letters and emails continue. This is not over. Fitz let us down when it mattered, and that’s what matters, what must be remembered.