CNN anchor Jake Tapper pressed Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) over Democrats’ unwillingness to cut a deal with Republicans as many Americans who use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are set to see them expire with no end to the government shutdown in sight.
“They think that they can use the hunger of children to try to leverage Democrats rather than feeding 42 million Americans. And we’re not going to stand for it,” Stansbury said of Republicans while appearing on Tapper’s early evening newscast “The Lead.”
“Should the Democratic senators from New Mexico, your home state, vote to open the government so that these SNAP funds are not at risk?” Tapper asked her.
“Let me be clear. The administration is choosing to starve American children with money that they already have appropriated,” she responded.
Tapper argued he was not “applauding the tactics” of Republicans but pressed the lawmaker by saying “this is also a choice by Senate Democrats to not vote to open the government.”
“Sir, let me just be clear. The money for contingency plans is sitting there. That is why the states are suing the White House withholding funds for food,” Stansbury shot back. “Yeah, well it may not be a big deal to you, but let me tell you that for the grandparents …”
“It is a big deal to me,” Tapper interrupted. “My point is it’s a short-term solution.”
“I am here in the House of Representatives. It is shut down. I am fighting to get the government reopened,” the lawmaker insisted. “I am fighting to get funding put back into SNAP that is already existent, and I am fighting for the American people.”
The exchange between Tapper and Stansbury was first highlighted by Mediaite.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture last week said it won’t use SNAP contingency funding, which Congress has allocated for emergency scenarios, if a deal to end the shutdown is not reached by the end of the week.
SNAP benefits, which are used by millions of Americans, are set to expire Saturday.
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