Bristling Republican staggers as CNN host pushes him on empty claim

A Republican got in a fiery exchange with a CNN anchor over potential for the government shutdown end and rising concerns for Americans over affordability.

CNN anchor Brianna Keilar was interviewing Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) on Thursday when the conversation turned testy over cost-of-living prices, particularly groceries.

Steil tried to put blame on President Joe Biden and his administration.

"When we think about groceries, one of the biggest drivers is the cost of diesel fuel. It's a tractor in the field during the harvest," Steil said. "It's a truck bringing those goods to the grocery store. The energy policy that we have put in place with the Trump administration is beginning to reduce those prices and a massive shift from where we were during the Biden administration to reduce those prices."

Keilar pushed back.

"Where is it beginning to reduce those prices?" she asked.

"I think you see oil pricescoming down dramatically," Steil said.

"No you said groceries, you said it's beginning to reduce those prices — groceries," she said.

"It will flowthrough the process with thoseenergy prices coming down for ourfarmers. I don't offer that weare where we need to be, at theend result. I offer one of thelargest drivers inside groceryprices is diesel costs," he said.

Keilar interjected again, pressing on the issue further.

"How long will that take? Because groceries have been up every month since the start of Trump's presidency," Keilar asked.