Watch | ‘Connecticut Lawmakers Debate How to Help SNAP Recipients’ (News 8)

Shortly after Looney and Duff stepped away from the podium, state Sen. Stephen Harding, the Republican minority leader, addressed the press outside his office.

Harding expressed empathy toward SNAP recipients in Connecticut who are fearful of losing their benefits next month.

He also pointed the finger squarely at congressional Democrats, countering Looney and Duff’s challenge with one of his own: call on Connecticut’s members of Congress to drop their opposition to a short-term government funding deal.

“I’m sure they have their cellphone numbers, they know them on a first name basis — ask them to reopen the government,” Harding said.

Democrats in Washington have expressed a lack of trust that Republicans, especially President Trump, will negotiate over the healthcare credits in good faith if they drop their opposition to a “clean” continuing resolution.

Harding said he trusts both sides will be able to find a resolution, even as the clock ticks toward the Halloween deadline.

“I do trust that he will do it,” Harding said of Trump’s willingness to negotiate. “I also trust leaders on both sides of the aisle, that they’re gonna see the suffering that individuals are gonna go through and they’re gonna come to a compromise.”