House Republicans Target Federal Benefits with New Work Requirements
FIRST ON FOX: House Republicans are gearing up to introduce significant reforms to federal benefit programs, particularly focusing on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. The proposed legislation, spearheaded by Representative Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., reflects party efforts to impose work requirements on a broader demographic of Americans.
Introducing the “America Works Act of 2025”
Rep. Dusty Johnson, who chairs the right-wing pragmatist Main Street Caucus, is preparing to unveil the “America Works Act of 2025.” The objective of this legislation is to mandate that single, able-bodied Americans aged 18 to 65 who are enrolled in SNAP must take part in at least 20 hours per week of work or work-related education.
Interestingly, the bill includes exemptions for adults with dependent children under the age of 7, as outlined in a summary provided to Fox News Digital. Johnson emphasized the importance of aligning federal aid programs with pathways to economic independence.
The Rationale Behind the Bill
“Able-bodied people who can work should work if we want to continue to have our welfare programs be pathways out of poverty,” Johnson stated in an interview with Fox News Digital. He believes that work, training, and education are essential components for individuals striving to escape poverty.
This proposal emerges as House Republicans prepare to negotiate strategies to meet their spending cut targets while advancing former President Donald Trump’s agenda using the budget reconciliation process. This legislative strategy allows the party in power to move significant budgetary priorities without needing support from the opposition, requiring only a simple majority in both the House and the Senate.
A Broader Republican Agenda
The GOP is looking to capture a wide range of Trump-era policies, which include increased funding for border security, construction of a border wall, and a reduction of taxes on tipped and overtime wages. To fund these initiatives, several committees have been directed to identify areas for budget cuts, with the House Committee on Agriculture tasked with finding at least 0 billion in savings.
New provisions within the bill would grant the Department of Agriculture the authority to exempt individuals residing in counties with an unemployment rate exceeding 10%. Two sources familiar with the situation mentioned that Johnson’s bill aligns closely with the expected contents of the Republican reconciliation bill.
Cost versus Social Impact
Johnson acknowledged inquiries regarding projected savings from the bill, but emphasized that its primary motivation centers on social change rather than mere cost-cutting measures. “It would be expected to be a major cost-savings, and while that’s important, my primary motivator is how much work requirements have proven to improve lives as opposed to how much money they save,” he said. “I want people to escape poverty.”
Currently, adults aged 18 to 54 can receive SNAP benefits for a maximum of three months within a three-year period before being required to work at least 80 hours per month. Johnson’s proposed legislation aims to tighten these regulations significantly.
Changes to Current Exemptions
One of the notable revisions in Johnson’s bill is the elimination of current exemptions for young adults transitioning out of foster care and for veterans. These exemptions were included in bipartisan negotiations related to raising the debt limit in 2023 through the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Johnson expressed dissatisfaction with the previous concessions made.
“The concessions we had to make in the Fiscal Responsibility Act to get things done were not helpful changes,” he articulated. “It was just telling all veterans and all young adult former foster kids that the work requirements didn’t apply to them, and that’s not actually helpful to getting them to a better financial path.”
Nevertheless, Johnson assured that there would still be exceptions for certain vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, and residents of high-unemployment areas.
A Return to Previous Eligibility Standards
As part of his proposed changes, Johnson reiterated the intent to revert to previous eligibility requirements, applying the same stipulations to veterans and former foster youths as to other applicants. “My bill would go back to the way it was before, which is the same eligibility requirements applied to veterans and foster kids are applied to everybody else,” he asserted.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for the America Works Act of 2025
The introduction of the “America Works Act of 2025” encapsulates the Republican party’s renewed focus on work requirements as a means to reshape federal assistance programs. As the party navigates budget negotiations and seeks to implement former President Trump’s policies, the implications of such reforms on millions of Americans relying on SNAP could be transformative. How this proposed legislation unfolds in Congress and its potential impact on vulnerable populations remains to be seen.
