WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Republicans urge Democrats to join them and pass a continuing resolution to end the government shutdown, North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer is hoping lawmakers across the aisle will at least provide some relief to Americans who will likely start to suffer.
Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has proposed a bill that would fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits during the shutdown.
Food stamp funding is set to pause on November 1st if the government fails to reopen.
But there appear to be no signs yet that the shutdown, which began on October 1st, will end any time soon.
“I don’t know what to say,” Cramer told The Flag when asked what to say to federal workers and food stamp recipients impacted by the shutdown.
Listen: North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer on The Flag
“I’ve voted to give that to you [the continuing resolution] 13 times and Chuck Schumer has stopped us every single time. There’s no explaining it.”
Cramer didn’t sound optimistic that Democrats would eventually agree to pass Hawley’s SNAP funding bill, but shared his thoughts on the mood within the opposing party about the shutdown in general.
“I’ve talked to enough of them to know that they’re not comfortable where they are,” said Cramer. “They’re scared to death.”
Cramer was also critical of Democrats like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who recently said if the government reopens “we lose our leverage.”
Democrats continue making the case that any reopening is contingent upon extending Affordable Care Act subsides to ensure health insurance premiums within the system don’t rise.
“I’ve always maintained that at some point when real people are hurt bad enough, they’re going to stand up and say we’ve been with you Democrats our whole lives and we’re not your freaking leverage,” said Cramer.
President Trump met with top Senate Republicans at the White House on Tuesday.
Cramer said Trump thanked the senators and “blessed them for loyalty to the party”
Cramer added Trump also “showered praise” on Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the party in general for “staying united” during the shutdown.
