(WHTM) - U.S. Senator John Fetterman says he's confused by those who believe he's abandoned the Democratic Party, saying it's "not new news" that he's not a progressive."

Fetterman sat down with Dennis Owens in Washington D.C. this month to discuss a wide range of topics, particularly whether he's retained the beliefs many believe got him to Washington. Some progressives have called out Fetterman for his support of Israel and wanting to get a border deal done.

"I think I've been a real consistent Democrat when I vote and that's what I've been running on, and it wasn't new news. I was running that campaign, I was saying I'm just a regular Democrat. And I don't know why it's controversial to be a strong supporter of Israel, I've never understood that and I still don't.

Fetterman took a swipe at his general election opponent Mehmet Oz, adding "if they wanted to vote for a weird from New Jersey they could've had that but I think they (shouldn't be having) buyer's remorse given that."

"I haven't really adopted any, as a radical, positions on anything," added Fetterman in an office decked out in collegiate pennants from across Pennsylvania. "I think it's reasonable for a Democrat to be supportive of Israel, or a secure border, and I have no intention to become a (Democratic U.S. Senator Joe) Manchin or (Independent U.S. Senator Kyrsten) Sinema or anything like that. Just a regular Democrat."

"There's a truth here in D.C.," added Fetterman, "that nothing gets accomplished if it's not bipartisan consensus and that's what's true as well. And there are some things I can't agree with like 'choice' for example, but there's other things that I can, I want to be part of those solutions. We can't forget that if you want to get America better, that it has to be done in a bipartisan way."

Legislatively, Fetterman has prioritized protecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Fetterman says he's focused on making sure those benefits are not cut in the next Farm Bill. He's even pledged to "jam" the bill if there are cuts to SNAP.

"I've been very clear that I will not allow the Republicans to try to cut SNAP," said Fetterman. "I don't think that's the right way to go, going after people that are hungry and I've been very clear about that and that's part of a solid Democratic value there."

Other legislative priorities for Fetterman in his first term have been a home repair program that provides money for those who need repairs to stay in their homes. He's also promised to protect DREAMERS like his wife who came to the United States as a child and was undocumented.

"I would never be able to vote for legislation that punished DREAMERS like that," he said.

Fetterman has remained active on social media with his trademark trolling over opponents and even fellow Democrats like Senator Bob Menendez, who is on trial for an alleged bribery scheme.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) called out Fetterman for not defending her after a chaotic House hearing where she traded insults with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

Fetterman called the hearing worse than "The Jerry Springer Show."

Fetterman said it's a "mix" of who handles his social media, some of it coming directly from him and the rest from his staff. He pushed back on the idea that his psots and memes were affecting the mental health of those on the end of his jabs.

"Mental health is never necessarily made better spending time on social media," said Fetterman "but I don't believe the conversations that I have on social media about supporting Israel or the border deal or those things, I think that contributes to the dialogue here about different issues."