SPRINGFIELD –  As SNAP benefits are set to lapse for 42 million Americans, including 1.9 million Illinois households, Democrats' views on the shutdown are splintering. 

Yesterday, Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA) echoed Raja Krishnamoorthi and Bernie Sanders’ position, saying it’s "a fool's errand" for Democrats to give up all of their “leverage” by voting for a clean continuing resolution. 

Meanwhile, Democrat Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) broke ranks, telling Dana Perino in a Fox News interview that the Republican clean continuing resolution (CR) is a "very fair deal." He went on to urge Senate Democrats to vote for the CR to re-open the government saying, “I don’t understand what’s so hard about that. Senator Thune has offered that. He offered up a vote on extending these premiums… Why would you not want to vote for help with these tax credits… get premiums down for people. People are getting hurt and need help. Why not give them help?” 

Juliana Stratton and Robin Kelly can no longer sit on the sidelines. Voters need to know where they stand: Do they want leverage at the expense of Illinoisans, or will they finally step up and provide common-sense leadership that puts people first?

U.S. Senate Candidate Don Tracy issued the following statement in response:

“With SNAP benefits halting Saturday for 1.9 million Illinoisans and paychecks already delayed for thousands more, do Stratton and Kelly agree with Raja that political 'leverage' is worth taking food from poor families and paychecks from military families? Or will they join me in calling for the government to be reopened immediately? 

“Illinois families are hurting today. Voters deserve strong leadership now."

Don is available for video and phone interviews on this topic, with some availability for in-studio discussions.

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About Don Tracy: 

Don Tracy is a community leader from Central Illinois who has spent his career fighting for small businesses and working families. An attorney for nearly 50 years, Don is Senior Counsel at Brown, Hay & Stephens, the oldest law firm in Illinois. He has served in a number of public service positions, including Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, Chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board, Secretary of the Illinois Bar Foundation, and President of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Born and raised in Mount Sterling in Western Illinois, Don and his wife, Wanda, raised their 4 children and 8 grandchildren in Springfield.