VIDEO: Senator Luján Takes SNAP Fight National, Calls Out Republicans for Blocking Food Assistance Bill

Source NM: NM U.S. Sen. Luján leads bill backed by U.S. Senate Democrats

Politico: Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced legislation to keep food aid flowing during the shutdown

NBC: Senate Democrats will bring to the floor a stand-alone funding bill to keep SNAP and WIC … the bill is led by Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M.

ABC: Lujan's bill came as 25 states have filed a lawsuit on the issue ahead of the halting of benefits at the start of November.

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) is taking his fight to protect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to a national audience, joining MSNBC's Jen Psaki and Chris Jansing to expose the Trump administration's refusal to release available food assistance funds and the Senate Republicans who blocked his bill to keep these programs running.

Yesterday, Senator Luján introduced legislation that prevents the Trump administration from illegally withholding available funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Senate Republicans blocked that legislation.

Senator Luján has repeatedly called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately use available funds to protect SNAP benefits for millions of Americans.

Watch Senator Luján's interview with Jen Psaki HERE.

During an interview with Jen Psaki, Senator Luján discussed his legislation:

"We were simply going down to the floor to offer the legislation and say, hey, we're going to ask for something called unanimous consent, which means if no one objects to the bill, it just comes straight to the floor. So I went down to have this conversation with a Republican colleague… And then it was Leader Thune that took the mic there. And I've not seen this kind of energy at this level - I don't think ever.

"But look, in the end, that kind of energy is what's needed to actually solve the problem."

Senator Luján emphasized USDA's authority to prevent a lapse in benefits:

"I authored this piece of legislation to say we're going to pay this program-the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which has never lapsed in the history of the United States. President Trump found the money during his first term from the same contingency fund that Secretary Rollins is now saying she's not going to tap.

"Allow this bill to come to the floor. And by the way, Mr. President, if you don't want this bill, all the president has to do is tap into the contingency fund and make sure that people can eat. Not in the United States of America should people go hungry. I mean, it's just absolutely disgusting what's happening."

On working with Republicans to find a solution, Senator Luján was clear:

"I'm willing to work with anyone when it comes to making a difference in the lives of people across New Mexico.

"My door is open, but if you want to mess with my constituents, you want to be a bully, we're going to square off."

Watch Senator Luján's interview with Chris Jansing HERE.

During an interview with Chris Jansing, Senator Luján discussed the importance of funding nutrition programs:

"Look, when it comes to food programs in America, there has never been a moment in America's history that food programs have lapsed. Just look to the last shutdown under President Donald Trump. President Donald Trump and his Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary Perdue, actually tapped into a fund that still exists today to make sure that these food programs would go forward, that people would not go hungry.

"And it was about 2 or 3 weeks ago that, under the Trump administration, there was a document on the Ag website that justified using this money-$5 billion exists in one fund, $23 billion in another fund-that can go to food programs. That's fact. No one can refute that.

"And when Republicans say there's not enough money, President Trump is shaking down the Department of Justice for $230 million for him. He bought Kristi Noem two jets, almost $180 million, spent $30 billion to Argentina. There's enough money, and there's enough money for these programs for food programs."

Senator Luján called on Republican leaders to act immediately:

"Now, with that being said, everyone needs to be working together. President Donald Trump is flying across the world. I hope he gets back soon. I hope he invites leaders back to the White House and gets them in the room. Last night, Leader Thune said that he wants to start talking to Democrats. Well, the shutdown's already been going on too long. House Republicans have been home for six weeks or so. Enough's enough. Start talking. The talking should have started a long time ago.

"And so look, I'm on the side that says get everyone in a room. And like our good governor from New Mexico used to say, don't let them out of the barn until they come up with a solution."

On legislation to ensure food programs continue, Senator Luján said:

"Well, look, specifically to food programs. I have a piece of legislation that's been introduced that has every Democratic colleague as a cosponsor. I've cosponsored Senator Hawley's as well, a Republican colleague from Missouri, who has 30 co-sponsors or so-15 Republicans, 15 Democrats. All we need is 13 Republicans to pass a bill. It's now the Republican leadership on the floor that's stopping those food programs from going forward.

"But in the end, all President Trump has to do is follow the law and allow these programs to go forward."

Senator Luján praised New Mexico for stepping up to fill the gap:

"I also want to applaud the governor of New Mexico and our Democratic and Republican colleagues in New Mexico, in the House and Senate, because they're also having conversations to make sure that people are going to get money so that they don't go hungry. So I applaud states.

"It's why I've included in my legislation that states should be able to be reimbursed, that tribes should be able to be reimbursed if they do this. And by the way, my legislation did not leave out Puerto Rico. We should not forget about our brothers and sisters all around America and make sure that we do this correctly.

Senator Luján concluded with a call for immediate action:

"There's nothing stopping us from getting in a room and figuring this out. Let's do better by the American people. Let's solve this challenge. Let's make sure health insurance premiums aren't going to double or triple, or skyrocket and open the government. We can do it all at once."

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