CNN host Jake Tapper turned the tables on a Democratic lawmaker during a tense interview about the ongoing government shutdown, bluntly telling her that Senate Democrats share the blame for keeping the government closed. The exchange took place on Tapper’s CNN show “The Lead” on Tuesday, during which the veteran anchor pressed Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) on whether Democratic senators from her home state should vote to reopen the government.
“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.Instead of answering directly, Stansbury accused the White House of choosing to “starve American children” with funds she claimed were already appropriated.
Tapper cut in: “I’m not applauding their tactics.”
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The back-and-forth quickly escalated as Tapper challenged her assertion that only the administration was responsible for the crisis. “Congresswoman, this is also a choice by Senate Democrats to not vote to open the government,” Tapper said. “Yes it is. I understand why they’re doing it — they want Medicaid funds restored. They want Obamacare premiums extended past the end of the year. I understand the reasoning.”
Stansbury bristled, insisting the administration was withholding money that states should already have access to. “The money for contingency plans is sitting there,” she said. “That is why the states are suing. The White House is withholding funds from children to have food.”
“This is … a choice by Senate Democrats to not vote to open the government,” Tapper explained.
He then pushed back again, attempting to clarify that reopening the government would require Senate Democrats’ cooperation as well — a point that has become increasingly central to the Republican argument that Democrats are prolonging the standoff for political leverage.The government shutdown that began on October 1 has now stretched into its fifth week, with Congress still unable to pass a continuing resolution to fund federal operations. Deep divisions over healthcare spending, foreign aid, and budget priorities have paralyzed negotiations.
The Republican-led House has approved several short-term funding measures, but the Democrat-controlled Senate has blocked them, citing provisions that would roll back Medicaid expansions and other social programs.
Roughly 750,000 federal employees are either furloughed or working without pay, rippling through the broader economy. National parks, museums, and numerous federal agencies remain closed, and analysts estimate the shutdown could shave as much as $14 billion off the nation’s GDP this quarter. As the standoff drags on, pressure continues to mount on both the White House and congressional leaders to strike a deal.
One of the most immediate concerns is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food aid to roughly 42 million Americans. The program is running out of funds as the shutdown extends into late October.
While October benefits were covered using emergency reserves, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned that those funds will not sustain November payments unless Congress reopens the government. Without new appropriations, states will be unable to issue full benefits, leaving low-income families uncertain about how they’ll afford groceries.
Some states are exploring ways to temporarily cover costs using their own resources, though reimbursement from Washington remains unclear. The USDA has already directed state agencies to slow or delay processing to stretch the funds that remain.
If the shutdown continues past November 1, millions could face food insecurity—forcing families to rely on food banks or skip meals entirely. Experts warn the crisis could become a “man-made disaster” if lawmakers fail to act soon, as state and local aid systems will struggle to absorb the surge in need.
