Fetterman threatens to abandon Democrats

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said he'd leave the Democratic Party if it becomes the "anti-Israel party," though he signaled he had no plans to imminently depart the caucus.

Why it matters: Republicans currently hold a narrow Senate majority, but with midterm elections looming, Fetterman's comments could be a blow to Democrats should they flip four seats in November and regain control.

• Fetterman acknowledged the Democrats' difficult Senate math when speaking Wednesday at The Hill Nation Summit: "And if we flip those four seats, then I would be 51, and ... watch what I do."
• He continued, "I'm the guy that would be there that 51 as the committed Democrat."

Driving the news: Democrats have grown more disillusioned and angry toward Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as evidenced by Wednesday's vote to prevent the State Department from funding the nation.

• While the measure, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), failed, more than 100 House Democrats, plus Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), voted for it.

What they're saying: "If our party ever becomes, and just make it official, as the anti-Israel party ... that's when I would leave because that's a bit of moral clarity for me," Fetterman said at the summit.

• Fetterman's office did not immediately respond to Axios' request to elaborate on what that boundary looks like for him.
• However, Fetterman said at Wednesday's summit that he is "never changing" his party — except for "that one condition."

Catch up quick: While the hoodie-wearing Pennsylvanian's cross-aisle voting has earned him a softer reception from some on the right, his own party has raged against him.

• After Fetterman cast the deciding vote to advance Markwayne Mullin's nomination for DHS secretary, Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) wrote, "He needs to go," calling the senator "Trump's favorite Democrat."
• More than half of Pennsylvania voters want to see Fetterman leave the party, per a recent Quinnipiac University poll of 895 self-identified registered voters.
• Fetterman is likely to face a fierce primary challenge in 2028.

Go deeper: Scoop: Dems plot Fetterman ouster