CNN host Jake Tapper and Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., clashed on Tuesday over the government shutdown’s impact on SNAP food benefits, highlighting a growing divide within the political landscape. Tapper confronted Stansbury about her stance on the government shutdown, questioning why she wasn’t pushing Senate Democrats to fund the government if she was so concerned about millions of Americans losing food assistance. Stansbury responded by asserting that the Trump administration is choosing to starve American children with funds it already has appropriated, calling it a deliberate decision.
The Trump administration had previously warned that millions could lose federal food benefits within days if Congress didn’t fund the government. Democrats had been seeking to use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) contingency fund, which contains about $5 billion, to cover at least part of the shortfall. Tapper pushed back, noting that Congresswoman’s stance was not about funding, but about the administration’s decisions. Stansbury, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of keeping the government open to ensure that food assistance continues for those in need.
Meanwhile, the debate over the government shutdown has escalated with Republican Senator Jim Hawley vowing to hold Democrats accountable through new funding bills. The situation has also drawn attention from state leaders, including Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, who declared a state of emergency over the potential depletion of SNAP benefits for 850,000 Virginians. Tapper suggested that the contingency funds would only cover a few weeks of SNAP benefits, raising concerns about the long-term impact on food assistance programs.
The exchange underscores the broader political and ideological differences over how to handle government shutdowns and their impact on essential services. As the debate continues, stakeholders and lawmakers remain under pressure to resolve the impasse and prevent further hardship for vulnerable populations.