Sunny Hostin, co-host of The View, has taken a public stance on the ongoing government shutdown, urging the Republican Party to negotiate and end the stalemate. The shutdown, which began 27 days ago, has stalled the passage of a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government, primarily due to a disputed healthcare provision. Democrats warn that excluding this provision could result in higher health insurance premiums, while Republicans argue that the measure would extend coverage to illegal immigrants, a point of contention that has blocked progress. Hostin criticized the GOP for instigating the shutdown, asserting that the consequences could be significant for millions of Americans, particularly in red states where access to food assistance programs is critical.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), there is no direct ability for the agency to independently redistribute funds into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. This means that if the shutdown continues, 42 million Americans could lose access to essential food assistance. Hostin emphasized that the most affected states are those with a high percentage of the population reliant on these benefits, including New Mexico, Louisiana, Oregon, and Alabama. She warned that as Thanksgiving approaches, the inability to provide for families may force Republicans back to the negotiating table.
During a segment on The View, Hostin addressed the potential ramifications of the shutdown, stating that the inability to feed families during the holiday could be a turning point for the GOP. “We are talking about children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. And you know which states are affected the most? Red states are affected the most,” she said. “We are talking about New Mexico, Louisiana, Oregon. Those are states —” “Alabama,” co-host Whoopi Goldberg interjected, highlighting the growing concern over the impact of the shutdown on vulnerable populations. Hostin’s comments reflect a broader debate over the role of the government in ensuring access to basic needs, with Democrats pushing for an expedited resolution to prevent further hardship for millions of Americans.