Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune launched into a fierce diatribe against Democrats when Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico requested unanimous consent to pass legislation that would pay the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Despite having approximately $5 to $6 billion in emergency funds allocated for SNAP, the Trump administration reversed its earlier policy of paying recipients during a government shutdown. This policy, which had been removed from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website, originally cited “Congressional intent” to make the funds available despite the shutdown.
“Senate Republicans blocked legislation on Wednesday that would help low-income households afford groceries during the government shutdown, despite bipartisan support for providing nutrition aid to tens of millions of Americans,” Bloomberg News reported.
Andrew Desiderio of Punchbowl News described Thune’s reaction as a dramatic “blowup,” saying he went “nuclear.”
Later on the Senate floor, Thune acknowledged, “The senator from New Mexico was absolutely right. SNAP recipients shouldn’t go without food.”
The shutdown has now entered its 29th day, with Republicans blaming Democrats for the impasse. However, polling indicates that more Americans hold Republicans and President Trump responsible for the shutdown. Many believe Democrats are making greater efforts to reopen the government.
“People should be getting paid in this country. And we’ve tried to do that 13 times. And you voted no, 13 times,” Thune said, referring to Democrats’ refusal to reopen the federal government until Republicans agree to reinstate expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. Without these subsidies, Obamacare premiums are expected to soar.
“This isn’t a political game,” Thune added angrily. “These are real people’s lives that we’re talking about. And you all just figured that out?”
He continued, “29 days in and, ‘Oh, there might be some consequences.’ There are people who are running out of money. Yeah, we’re 29 days in.”
Highlighting lawmakers’ voting records, Thune stated, “13 times, people over here voted to fund SNAP. 13 times, they voted to fund WIC,” referring to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
Expressing his frustration, he said, “My aching back.”
Thune then accused Democrats of wanting the shutdown to continue indefinitely. “So are they making plans to end the shutdown and reopen the government?” he asked rhetorically. “Nope. They’re gonna propose a bill to fund food stamps during their shutdown.”
“This bill is a cynical attempt to provide political cover for Democrats to allow them to carry on their government shutdown for the long term.”
After delivering these remarks and leaving the floor, Thune apologized to reporters, saying, “Sorry I channeled a little bit of anger there.” However, he did not offer an apology to Senator Luján.
https://www.alternet.org/senate-republican-food-stamps/