U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, addressed the Senate Floor on concerns about the ongoing government shutdown and its impact on federal food assistance programs, specifically SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans.
Barrasso referenced recent polling from CNN indicating that public approval for Republicans in Congress has increased by five points since the start of the shutdown, while Democrats are experiencing their lowest position in two decades. He said, “The American people are clearly paying attention. They’re sick and tired of Democrats’ dangerous political game. They resent being used by Democrats as leverage. They resent being treated like pawns on a chess board. Millions resent having their paychecks held back, now for a full month.”
Citing statements from Democratic senators, Barrasso pointed to Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s comment calling the shutdown “the only lever we have,” and Senator Chris Coons’ acknowledgment that it is an “unpleasant tool.” Barrasso criticized these positions: “Food pantries in Rhode Island are getting ‘slammed.’ Democrats call that leverage. Families in Delaware are making ‘backup plans’ just to get groceries. Democrats call that leverage. That’s not leverage. That is picking pain for political purposes.”
He highlighted that 42 million Americans—about one in eight—could lose access to SNAP benefits as a result of the prolonged shutdown: “This weekend, 42 million Americans will lose food assistance. Let me say that again. 42 million.” He compared this figure to those enrolled in health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act and accused Democrats of prioritizing other issues over American families.
Barrasso also noted support among some Democrats for ending the shutdown, quoting Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.): “‘I don’t think federal workers should be political pawns. I don’t think we should swap the pain of some Americans for others.’”
According to Barrasso, Senate Republicans have voted 13 times in favor of a clean continuing resolution to reopen government operations and fund essential services including SNAP and pay for federal employees such as TSA agents and Border Patrol officers; each time, he said, these efforts were blocked by Senate Democrats.
He challenged claims that President Trump could independently restore food assistance funding: “Democrats claim President Trump can fund food assistance on his own. Democrats know what they’re asking is against the law.” He emphasized that legislative action was required and stated: “The Senate can fund all these programs today… We need five more Democrats to say yes.”
Barrasso concluded with a call to end what he described as politically motivated obstruction: “Enough with the politics of pain. It’s time to reopen the government. It’s time to feed these vulnerable families.”
