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Justice calls shutdown "shameful," warns SNAP recipients could be harmed
Summary
West Virginia Governor Justice said the federal government shutdown is "shameful" and said he is working behind the scenes to prevent lapses in SNAP benefits; he said he does not expect a pay measure to pass immediately and urged civility in negotiations.
Senator Justice, governor of West Virginia, called the federal government shutdown "the most ridiculous thing on the planet" and warned at a press briefing that hundreds of thousands of people could be hurt if benefits such as SNAP (food stamps) lapse.
Justice said he encountered Capitol custodial staff who told him they were not being paid, and he described the personal consequences of the shutdown while urging congressional leaders to reach an agreement. "It is so gloom and sad. I mean, it is awful what is going on here," he said.
The governor framed the stalemate as politically driven and said he blames House Democrats for holding the country "hostage" in pursuit of political causes. He called for civility and compromise: "We gotta someway somehow get to some civility. We gotta get this thing across the finish line and open this government back up."
During questions, Henry Colby House of Mountain State Spa asked what steps Justice is personally taking to resolve the deadlock and protect families who depend on food assistance. Justice replied that, as one of 100 senators in the federal system, he can only exert influence: "All I can give you is an opinion... I do not think that the president nor anyone here will let that really happen," he said, adding he is "in it... in every way" to avoid harm to affected families.
Reporters also asked about a pay measure expected for a Senate vote. Bob Aaron asked whether the measure had a chance and whether the so-called "nuclear option" (changing the 60-vote threshold) was on the table. Justice said he did not expect the pay measure to pass immediately and predicted closed-door negotiations would continue. "From a pay measure standpoint, I do not think it'll pass today... The talks behind closed doors will continue," he said, but he suggested that involvement by former President Donald Trump could move negotiations.
Justice proposed, as a policy idea rather than a committed plan, temporarily extending benefit deadlines as a way to give families more runway: "If we extended the deadline...gave people a little bit longer runway, you may think, well, that'll solve it. That'll solve it." He also warned that such extensions could be politically rejected by the Democrats, saying the disagreements go beyond timing and into the scope of demands.
No formal actions or votes were taken during the briefing. The governor repeatedly characterized his role as advocacy and persuasion rather than a decision-maker in Congress: "I'm one of a 100, and really and truly, all I can give you is an opinion." He said he is signing on to measures and continuing to press for solutions that would prevent immediate harm to families relying on federal benefits.
Looking ahead, Justice said he will remain engaged on the issue and work with others to seek a resolution while urging lawmakers to put politics aside: "We gotta be respectful of one another... why can't we listen to ideas? Why can't we move the ball?"
