Top Democrat Hakeem Jeffries says Republicans are weaponising hunger by withholding SNAP benefits during prolonged government shutdown
WASHINGTON: A top US congressional Democrat has accused President Donald Trump and fellow Republicans of choosing to weaponise hunger during a prolonged government shutdown.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that the Republican Party was unserious about reopening the government after five weeks of closure.
He accused Trump’s Republicans of manufacturing a crisis including the lapse of funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Jeffries told CNN’s State of the Union that Republicans have decided to weaponise hunger and withhold SNAP benefits for over 42 million Americans.
A federal judge recently ordered the government to use emergency funds to ensure SNAP continuity.
Trump expressed willingness to comply but said he needed more clarification on legal implementation methods.
Jeffries expressed exasperation over suspending SNAP funding which operated uninterrupted for 60 years.
He noted the Trump administration finds funding for other projects but cannot ensure Americans do not go hungry.
Republicans seek a straightforward extension of federal funding through a short-term continuing resolution until November 21.
Democrats demand any funding plan include an extension of enhanced Obamacare health insurance subsidies.
Jeffries warned tens of millions of Americans face dramatically increased premiums if subsidies expire.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Democrats of wanting to renegotiate the entire health care system.
She said Democrats are holding the government hostage by demanding 1.7 trillion dollars of new spending.
Leavitt stated providing taxpayer funded Medicaid to illegal aliens represents a red line for President Trump and Republicans.
Undocumented immigrants in the United States are not eligible for Medicaid or SNAP benefits. – AFP
