'Do you want to debate?' CNN anchor presses frustrated GOP lawmaker

A CNN host’s persistent interjections during an interview with Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) caused the exasperated lawmaker to ask if she wanted an answer – or a debate.

The moment happened Thursday night on CNN’s “The Source” when host Kaitlan Collins refused to let Lawler get by on his outrage that Democrats sunk a revised temporary spending bill that collapsed in the House amid a looming government shutdown.

“I find it so jarring that every single Democrat – except two – voted to shut the government down,” Lawler said. “Not because they didn't agree — ”

But before he could complete his sentence, Collins jumped in and pointed out 38 House Republicans also voted against the Donald Trump-backed spending bill before it failed.

“Totally different reasons,” Lawler replied.

“But you still voted the same way,” Collins insisted, clearly amused by the point the Republican congressman was trying to make. “It’s 38 House Republicans – I mean 38 House Republicans voted against this,” she noted.

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Lawler added the host was “missing” that 197 Democrats voted against the bill that helped propel the government closer to shutting down at midnight Friday.

“But the deal that they negotiated was blown up yesterday,” Collins said.

When she continued to press Lawler on whether House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) negotiated the bill that exploded Wednesday with Democrats – and therefore his “problem should be with Speaker Mike Johnson” – Lawler appeared to have had enough.

“Let me answer please,” Lawler said. “Would you like me to answer, or do you want to debate it?”

Lawler then shifted fault to President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

“So you want to just focus on House Republicans – we put a bill on the floor today to keep the government funded,” he said. “But the fact is, many Democrats have always voted to pass a CR and increase the debt ceiling, and the reason they didn't do that today is because they don't want to lose leverage in the new Congress. And that, to me, is absolutely pathetic.”

Watch the clip below or at this link.