Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives failed to deliver needed food stamp reform to millions of able-bodied adults trapped in welfare dependency with the failure of the 2018 House Farm Bill. The Opportunity Solutions Project (OSP) urges members of the House to continue to advocate for expanded work requirements and other commonsense reforms to the food stamp program.
The work-oriented reforms in H.R. 2, Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 would have refocused the program on work for able-bodied adults and preserved resources for the truly needy. The legislation called for expanded work requirements for more able-bodied adults, a commonsense reform that has been proven to move adults from welfare to work quickly and effectively.
Despite a near-record low unemployment rate and millions of available jobs, there are 21 million able-bodied adults dependent on food stamps, a majority of whom are not working.
“The House Farm Bill provided desperately-needed change for a welfare program that has deviated from its original intent as a temporary safety net and has become a way of life for too many,” said OSP President and CEO Tarren Bragdon. “We’ve failed millions of Americans who were counting on this legislation to give them the opportunity to experience work. Members of the House should continue to advocate for expanded work requirements and other reforms that will restore the integrity of the food stamp program.”
Opportunity Solutions Project (OSP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization that seeks to improve lives by advocating for public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, individual liberty, and a limited, accountable government.
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