Late last week, the Jobs and Opportunities for SNAP Act and the Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act were jointly introduced by Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-KS).
The Jobs and Opportunities for SNAP Act would reinstate work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents on food stamps—requirements that have been suspended since 2020—while the Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act requires all able-bodied adults who can and should be working to work or volunteer for no fewer than 20 hours per week in the Medicaid program.
“The key to strengthening our economy is getting more Americans back to work. The ongoing labor shortage we have experienced over the past few years has made it difficult for small businesses across Kansas to stay afloat,” said Rep. LaTurner. “I am proud to introduce the Jobs and Opportunities Acts because I believe the best welfare program is a job. These commonsense bills will help able-bodied adults re-enter the workforce and end their reliance on taxpayer-funded government assistance. It’s past time for Congress to act on welfare reform to grow our economy, strengthen our workforce, and better protect Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars.”
The Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) applauds Rep. LaTurner for helping move able-bodied adults off the sidelines and back to work, directly addressing the worker shortage and working to tame inflation.
For years, research has shown that after work requirements are implemented, the number of people on welfare programs such as Medicaid and food stamps drops significantly. Additionally, work requirements are overwhelmingly popular with all voter groups.
FGA’s President and CEO Tarren Bragdon stated, “Americans have long understood and overwhelmingly supported work requirements in welfare programs. When implemented in the states, work requirements have been successful in moving able-bodied adults from welfare to work in record numbers. Both bills would implement a popular and proven reform that lifts individuals from dependency and empowers them through work. At a time of record-high open jobs and record-low labor force participation, there is no better time for Congress to embrace reforms that get Americans back to work.”
