‘We’re Finished!’ CNBC’s Joe Kernen Shuts Down Fiery Interview With Senate Democrat

CNBC’s Squawk Box host Joe Kernen shut down a fiery interview with Senator Rubén Gallego (D-AZ) Monday after the pair sparred for over the ongoing government shutdown and Democratic demands to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.

The conversation began with Kernen questioning competing Senate proposals, but was quickly derailed when Gallego accused Republicans of “refus[ing] to hear” a clean bill to pay federal workers during the shutdown.

“Instead of debating it and actually putting it to a vote, [Republicans] stopped it altogether,” the Democrat said. “And our bill was actually very clean and simple, which is: give everybody, every employee that’s a government employee right now that is not being paid, pay while we work this out.”

“The other bill, I guess the criticism, did you agree with that from Democrats, that it gave President [Donald] Trump too much leeway on which ones to pay, or what was – why did that not pay?” Kernen asked.

Gallego replied: “Well, because he gave the president the power to decide which employee was essential or not. And like, let’s be honest, this president is quite temperamental. He acts like a child. He’s very petty. And if you give him that power, he would use it in a petty, temperamental, childlike way.”

“Senator, I guess the critics of Democrats would say it’s similar. Here, you’re talking about a clean bill. The continued resolution is a clean resolution, same as the one that was in March. And all along, it looked like that was going to be sufficient to get enough votes to pass. And it’s just not –” shot back Kernen.

“I’m sorry, to who? I’m so sorry, that’s never been in my position,” the senator cut in.

The host challenged the idea, accusing Democrats of demanding action on “more issues” and “more appropriations.”

Gallego continued: “No, we’re demanding a very simple thing… We want to make sure that Americans, 24 million Americans, do not see their insurance premiums doubled.”

Kernen pressed Gallego on the size of Democrats’ proposed spending: “Well, by not extending it, it would go up. But what’s the $1.5 trillion, Senator? You could extend those for one year, you could extend the Obamacare subsidies for $40 billion. For 10 years, you can do it for $3.4 billion. You’re asking for $1.5 trillion.”

Gallego shot back: “I’m sorry, are you an insurance broker?” before insisting the longer extension was necessary to prevent insurance premiums from doubling for millions of Americans.

The host returned to his point: “What’s in the $1.5 trillion? You could do it for 10 years, Senator, for $345 billion. What’s the $1.5 billion that Democrats are demanding to open the government? And this is unheard of.”

“We’re not demanding anything. This is just a Republican talking point. All I want is for the ACA to be extended for americans to 24 million people to not get their premiums doubled,” the Democrat added. “In Arizona, we are talking about 500,000 people.”

When Kernen challenged Democrats for holding up government funding, Gallego turned his fire back on Republicans and accused them of having already done the same in the past.

“They’re screwing up on tariffs, they’re raising inflation, and now they’re going to go ahead and raise your premiums,” he said, adding that GOP leaders were “keeping the House of Representatives out until January to stop and protect pedophiles.”

He continued: “So who am I negotiating with right now? You know, the person I’m talking to right now is everyday Americans who are worried that they’re going to have insurance rates doubled overnight because Republicans refused to act.”

“So they’re screwing up on tariffs, they’re raising inflation, and now they’re going to go ahead and raise your premiums,” added Gallego.

Kernen pushed back: “Senator the Republicans are refusing to be blackmailed and held hostage into what Democrats want. Mike Johnson doesn’t need to do anything.”

“I want 24 million Americans to have inflation? No!” Gallego cut in: “24 million Americans want their insurance, want healthy and affordable insurance.

As the senator continued to talk, Kernen made some effort to interject, asking if he could finish his point before losing patience and adding curtly: “Okay. We’re finished, Senator. Thanks for your time.”

Gallego, unfazed, replied: “I appreciate it. You too, have a good one.”

Watch above via CNBC.