CNN’s Jake Tapper clashes with Rep. Stansbury over government shutdown

CNN host Jake Tapper clashed with Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., on Tuesday over the federal government shutdown, when the CNN host requested why she wasn’t urgent Senate Democrats to open the federal government if she was so involved about People shedding meals support.

“Let me be clear: the federal government is selecting to starve American kids with cash they’ve already appropriated. This can be a White Home selection,” Stansbury mentioned. “They select to cease meals support.”

The Trump administration warned Monday that thousands and thousands may lose federal meals advantages inside days if lawmakers don’t fund the federal government. Democrats had been urgent the Trump administration to make use of the federal authorities’s Supplemental Diet Help Program (SNAP) emergency fund, which they mentioned incorporates about $5 billion, to cowl a minimum of a part of the shortfall.

Tapper pushed again, saying, “Congresswoman, that is additionally a selection by Senate Democrats to not vote to open the federal government.”

Consultant Melanie Stansbury, United States Consultant and rating member of the DOGE Oversight Subcommittee, speaks on Capitol Hill in response to the proposed Medicaid cuts, on Could 21, 2025 in Washington, DC (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Pictures for Folks’s Motion Institute)

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The Democratic lawmaker responded: “No, it isn’t.”

Tapper mentioned he understood why Democrats did it, noting that Democratic lawmakers’ reasoning for not voting is to fund the federal government as they hope to increase Obamacare subsidies.

“Let me be clear: the cash for contingency plans is there. That is why the states are suing the White Home for withholding meals,” Stansbury responded.

It prices about $8 to $9 billion per thirty days to cowl all SNAP advantages. However the USDA argued that the emergency funding was not “legally out there” to be used.

A banner with a photograph of President Donald Trump is displayed exterior the US Division of Agriculture (USDA) constructing on June 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Carter/Getty Pictures)

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Tapper mentioned it will be “two to a few weeks of SNAP funds.”

“Yeah, it won’t be that huge of a deal for you, however let me let you know that for the grandparents,” Stansbury started earlier than the CNN host interjected and mentioned it was a giant deal for him.

“My level is it is a short-term answer,” Tapper mentioned, whereas Stansbury mentioned it did not matter.

The CNN host then pressed Stansbury on why she did not push New Mexico senators to vote to open the federal government if she felt so strongly in regards to the SNAP program.

Rating Member of the Subcommittee on Delivering On Authorities Effectivity (DOGE) Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-NM, speaks throughout a Home Oversight Subcommittee listening to on the U.S. Capitol on February 26, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Pictures)

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The Democratic lawmaker shot again: “Sir, I am right here within the Home of Representatives. It is closed. I am combating to get the federal government reopened.”

“I am making an attempt to get a reimbursement into SNAP that already exists, and I am combating for the American individuals. I am right here, however present me a single Republican who’s right here, not a single one is right here to ensure People are ate up Saturday. That is why I am there,” she mentioned.

Elizabeth Elkind of Fox Information contributed to this report.