Shutdowns, SNAP, and the Economy Divide: Who Pays the Price?

This week on Cactus Crossfire, we’re coming to you from Utah and New Mexico, fresh off special sessions and a historic 43-day government shutdown. Our hosts break down the chaos in Congress, the SNAP benefits standoff, and the real-world impact on families across the Southwest.

Who’s to Blame for the Shutdown?

The episode opens with a frank discussion about the finger-pointing in Congress “Democrats played game with SNAP, and then they played game with our economy,” our host says, calling out both parties for failing to find common ground. The debate centers on the use of the filibuster, the continuing resolution, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as bargaining chips.

The SNAP Standoff

As the shutdown dragged on, states like New Mexico stepped in to fill the gap for SNAP recipients. “We called a special session here in New Mexico specifically to appropriate money to fill the gap and to fill the gap for a lot of New Mexicans that were going to be dependent on those dollars.” But the hosts warn that this state-level intervention may set a precedent for the federal government to offload its responsibilities onto the states.

Healthcare and the ACA

Healthcare remains a flashpoint, with direct criticism for both parties:

“Healthcare in America is the single worst policy in this country right now... The insurers, they’re making out like bandits under ACA. The providers, they’re doing okay. Guess who’s getting screwed? The consumers, us, the people that are the actual purchasers of this care.”

The episode also highlights the failure to control costs and the ongoing debate over what should count as essential care.

Election Fallout and the Economy Divide

The conversation shifts to the 2025 municipal elections, where coalitions—not ideology—proved decisive. “It’s the economy, stupid,” one host insists, quoting James Carville’s famous line. The team analyzes how economic anxiety, the shrinking middle class, and skepticism about government spending are reshaping voter behavior across the Southwest and beyond.

Further Reading:

• Congressional Research Service: The Federal Government Shutdown of 2025

• USDA: SNAP and State Responses

• Kaiser Family Foundation: The ACA and Cost Controls

• Brookings: The Shrinking Middle Class

Watch the full episode and join the conversation. Episode 9 OUT NOW!