New Mexico Sen. Ben Ray Luján and Republican Majority Leader John Thune engaged in a heated exchange on the Senate floor over funding SNAP benefits during the ongoing government shutdown.

During Wednesday's session in Congress, Sen. Luján introduced a bill aimed at funding SNAP and WIC during a government shutdown, emphasizing the importance of the 42 million Americans enrolled in SNAP, including children, veterans and seniors.

"There's never been a lapse in SNAP funding during a government shutdown," Luján said.

Luján urged support from Thune, who objected, arguing that reopening the government would resolve the SNAP issue and criticized Democrats for voting to keep the government closed.

"This pain does not need to happen," Luján said.

Thune countered, "And we've tried to do that 13

See Full Page