Democrat Rep Bynum Doesn’t Seem to Know Why She Voted to Shut Down the Government [WATCH]

Democratic Representative Janelle Bynum of Oregon’s 5th Congressional District faced scrutiny on Friday after appearing unable to explain her vote against a short-term spending measure to reopen the government or acknowledge her party’s role in the ongoing shutdown that threatens to halt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The exchange occurred during a C-SPAN interview, a clip of which was later shared on X by House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana.

In his post, Johnson highlighted Bynum’s remarks as an example of confusion among House Democrats regarding the continuing resolution (CR) that would have temporarily funded the government through the existing budget levels.

“Everyone should watch this incredible clip. Many House Democrats literally DON’T EVEN KNOW what they voted against when they closed the government! (Remember: Our CR was totally clean and nonpartisan, and only 24 short pages in length),” Johnson wrote.

The current shutdown, now in its 31st day, began after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic leadership refused to advance the Republican-backed clean CR.

The measure would have extended funding without additional policy riders or spending cuts, mirroring the same resolution Democrats supported earlier in March.

As the November 1 deadline approaches, funding for SNAP benefits is set to lapse, potentially affecting millions of low-income families.

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Republican leaders have introduced a standalone bill to extend SNAP funding temporarily, but Democrats have resisted separate funding efforts while negotiations over the broader budget continue.

During her C-SPAN appearance, Bynum was asked directly whether Democrats should approve the GOP-led standalone measure to protect SNAP benefits from interruption.

Rather than answering directly, she said Republicans control “the White House, House, and Senate,” adding that they have “the control to make sure Americans get what they need.”

Her statement was inaccurate, as Democrats currently hold the majority in the Senate and have used procedural control there to block the House’s continuing resolution.

Pressed again by the host, Bynum declined to take a firm position on the SNAP bill.

“I just got here. I don’t play politics. I want a clean bill that focuses on the American people. That makes sure kids have a full belly,” she said.

“All of the clean this, clean that, Americans don’t understand that. They know if they have their benefits or not.”

She continued, “So put a bill on the table. Make sure it’s very pure and clean, as they like to say. And it doesn’t have a whole lot of fluff in it.”

The interviewer then reminded her that Republicans had already voted on a clean CR on September 19.

When asked if she had voted on that bill, Bynum replied that she “disagrees with” the characterization of the measure, insisting that Republican proposals contain “poison pills.”

When pressed for specifics about what provisions she was referring to, Bynum did not identify any and shifted away from the question.

Everyone should watch this incredible clip. Many House Democrats literally DON’T EVEN KNOW what they voted against when they closed the government! (Remember: Our CR was totally clean and nonpartisan, and only 24 short pages in length.) pic.twitter.com/OgwYjBRYX2

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) October 31, 2025

The remarks drew attention online as the shutdown’s economic and social consequences grow more severe.

Critics noted that the continuing resolution Bynum opposed was nearly identical to the one Democrats themselves passed earlier this year.

The standoff has left key federal programs, including SNAP, in jeopardy as states prepare for potential disruptions to benefits next week.

The Department of Agriculture has warned that without new appropriations, funds for the food assistance program could run out after the start of November.

Speaker Johnson and House Republicans continue to urge Democrats to return to the negotiating table and pass a short-term funding measure.

The House-approved CR, described by Johnson as “clean and nonpartisan,” remains stalled in the Senate as leadership continues to link broader spending priorities to the reopening of the government.

With the shutdown entering its fifth week, the political impasse shows no immediate signs of resolution.

Millions of Americans who rely on federal nutrition assistance now await congressional action to restore funding before the November 1 deadline.

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