CNN host Jake Tapper pressed Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico on Tuesday over the ongoing government shutdown, challenging her claim that the Trump administration was solely responsible for jeopardizing food aid for millions of Americans.
Stansbury accused the White House of intentionally withholding assistance, saying the administration was “choosing to starve American children with money that they already have appropriated.” She insisted, “This is a choice by the White House. They are choosing to cut off food assistance.”
The Trump administration has warned that without congressional action to reopen the government, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits could run dry within days. Democrats have argued the administration should use contingency funds to bridge the gap. However, the USDA has maintained those funds are not legally available to cover regular SNAP payments.
Tapper pushed back on Stansbury’s argument, pointing out that Senate Democrats have repeatedly blocked votes to reopen the government.
“This is also a choice by Senate Democrats to not vote to open the government,” Tapper told her.
“No, it is not,” Stansbury shot back, rejecting the idea that her party shared responsibility for the standoff.
Tapper acknowledged Democrats’ strategy, noting they are refusing to pass a clean funding bill because they want an extension of Obamacare subsidies included. But Stansbury doubled down, insisting the administration already had the money to keep SNAP recipients covered.
“The money for contingency plans is sitting there. That is why the states are suing the White House for withholding food,” she said.
Tapper pointed out that even if the funds could be used, they would cover only two to three weeks of benefits. Stansbury dismissed the timeframe as irrelevant, saying what mattered was ensuring the aid continued to flow.
“It may not be a big deal to you,” she began, before Tapper cut in to emphasize that it was.
The exchange grew tense as Tapper asked why, if Stansbury was so concerned, she wasn’t pressuring the Democratic senators from her own state to vote to reopen the government.
“Sir, I am here in the House of Representatives. It is shut down,” Stansbury responded. “I am fighting to get the government reopened. I am fighting to get funding put back into SNAP that is already existent, and I am fighting for the American people.”
She then shifted the focus to Republicans, claiming they had abandoned their duties. “Show me a single Republican that is here,” she said. “Not a single one is here to make sure that Americans are fed on Saturday. That is why I am there.”