Griffith to Punchbowl News: “You can’t backfill that you’re hungry”
As the ongoing U.S. government shutdown threatens a shortfall in funding the SNAP program for November, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) spoke to Punchbowl News for a Pop-Up Conversation. His beginning remarks focused on the Democratic Party’s shutdown and how it potentially affects SNAP recipients in Virginia’s Ninth District.
Watch his full remarks to Punchbowl News here beginning at the 7:00 mark.
Griffith comments on SNAP
“Democrats can come to their senses and stop holding the American people hostage…I am getting angry at this point, because next Saturday, SNAP benefits go away. And it’s easy for Katherine Clark to say ‘well there will be a little suffering,’ because her district is 29th in household income in her district, mine is 409th out of 435…
“…my district is going to face a lot of suffering…to make the people in my district go hungry, it’s just not right.”
More remarks on Democrats’ shutdown that hurts SNAP
“This is inappropriate what we are going through right now, and the Senate Democrats picked this fight, but…they have put nothing on the table to even give us a place to start negotiations with…you can’t even say they’re being realistic. They are not at this point.”
“…you can’t backfill that you’re hungry, you can’t backfill and say ‘well, I am going to undo that you were hungry last week.’ That can’t be undone.”
Further discussion with Punchbowl News included topics related to Congressman Griffith’s role as Health Subcommittee Chairman, policies that impact cancer screenings and how America can lead the world in health care innovation.
October 25, 2025 @ 12:28 pm
That is a lot of families affected by losing healthcare and food benefits. Griffith should stand up for the families in his district. More families in this district need Medicaid, affordable healthcare marketplace options, and food than other districts.
It is his job to bring it to them.
October 25, 2025 @ 12:18 pm
The intelligent people in the 9th District know this isn’t a clean continuing resolution. The Big Beautiful Bill appropriations were passed by Republicans only.
Where is the money going?
Entire departments have been cut. Where is that money going? People were fired. Where is that money going?
Congress handed their power of the purse over to the president. Where is the appropriations budget to tell taxpayers where the money is going?
Republicans have shut down the government. They control Congress, Senate, President, and the Supreme Court. The majority in every branch.
October 25, 2025 @ 9:32 am
Not the Dems’ shutdown, sir. The Republicans control all three branches of government.