MAGA Senator Stumbles Over Funding Cuts in Interview

Washington, D.C. – In a challenging interview on Monday, U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy, a Montana Republican, froze while defending the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw $1 billion in clean-energy funding from Montana. This funding had been dedicated to the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub project, which was touted by the state’s governor as a source of ‘good-paying Montana jobs.’

During the interview, Sheehy attempted to shift blame onto Democrats after CNN’s Collins questioned him about the job losses resulting from the funding cut. He criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, asserting, ‘Of course it is. As I said, we want the government to be open. You should be saying this is Chuck Schumer who’s closing the government down.’

Collins pressed, stating, ‘But you’re acknowledging that what the Trump administration just pulled in funding is hurting your state.’ Sheehy, deflecting the question, spoke at length about the effects of the government shutdown on various sectors, claiming, ‘That’s why we’ve voted eight times to reopen the government.’

When further questioned by Collins about the specific cut, Sheehy responded, ‘Well, I think the reality is we wouldn’t be here if the government was still open.’ However, Collins informed him that Energy Secretary Chris Wright had previously stated that the decision to cut funding was made independently of the shutdown.

Sheehy’s hesitant response drew attention and ridicule on social media, with many viewers commenting on his stunned reaction. One user noted, ‘I’ve never seen someone made to look so patently foolish without the interviewer ever suggesting this was so.’

Chris Green, president of the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association, described the withdrawal of the grant as ‘a major and significant setback’ for clean energy initiatives in the region. The Daily Beast has reached out to the Department of Energy for further comment on this development.