VP’s office responds to PA gov who said Vance betrayed Appalachian roots with 'bull---- politics' over SNAP

By Fox News · Fox News

Vice President JD Vance ’s office hit back Monday at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who used a Philadelphia press conference to criticize Vance while outlining the state’s contingency plan to keep SNAP (food stamp) benefits flowing during the government shutdown. Shapiro had joined 24 states to successfully sue the USDA over November’s SNAP benefit suspension. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania itself was not a plaintiff, as Republican Attorney General David Sunday was not involved. Shapiro referenced Vance’s "Hillbilly Elegy" and the Ohioan’s strong bonds with his elders in Breathitt County, Kentucky – the heart of Appalachia – as he lit into what he described as the vice president’s "bull---- politics" that belie his Appalachian roots. "America has a president and a vice president that don't give a damn about all Americans," he added. SCHUMER, DEMS CALL 'BULL----' ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER FOOD STAMP SHUTDOWN THREAT Vance press secretary Taylor Van Kirk responded in comments to Fox News Digital on Monday, saying the governor should "take a look in the mirror if he wants to see who is to blame for this Democrat shutdown ." She said Shapiro and Democrats supported "Schumer’s shutdown" and in doing so "screwed over working-class men and women." "While little Josh was whining like a child about the problems his own party created, the Trump administration has been crafting a deal with commonsense Democrats to reopen the government and fund SNAP benefits," Van Kirk added. YOUNGKIN DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY OVER ‘DEMOCRAT SHUTDOWN’ DEPLETING SNAP BENEFITS FOR 850K VIRGINIANS Shapiro had joined his fellow Montgomery County Democrat Val Arkoosh to discuss the SNAP freeze’s effects and what he and Arkoosh – the state’s human services chief -- were doing to help affected families. When a reporter told Shapiro that Vance criticized the court order demanding the release of SNAP funds , the governor said that he would expect President Donald Trump to do so but that Vance’s…