Food stamp work requirement in bill is common sense: House Republican
Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) on how the House Agriculture Committee voted to approve new work requirements for food stamps and why Democrats oppose the GOP backed measure.
A congressman said Thursday that legislation advanced by the House Committee on Agriculture to impose stricter work requirements in the food stamp program represents common sense.
The legislation cleared on Wednesday for a floor vote would require all “work capable adults” ages 18 to 59 to work at least 20 hours a week or be enrolled in a training program to receive food stamps.
“This is common sense,” Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, a member of the agriculture committee, told FOX Business’ David Asman.
The GOP-backed effort to change the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) received a fiery backlash from Democrats.
"This farm bill is mean, the farm bill that you're putting here is hurtful, the farm bill here is deceitful, it is un-American and it is filled with racial vicissitudes," Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., said during debate.
Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, another committee member, told Asman that the bill is an example of “common decency” as well as “responsible policy.”
The Texas congressman said the farm bill will encourage welfare recipients to become less dependent on government assistance.
“If you’re not qualified, we take all the savings and plow it into training and education,” Arrington said.
The House Committee voted 26-20 to advance the farm bill to the House floor. If the bill passes, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that more than 1 million people will leave SNAP over the next 10 years.
Arrington said Democrats did not present any solutions and are simply posturing.
“It is shameful to have policies in place that trap people instead of pulling them up and out so they can realize the greatest potential and improve their quality of life,” Arrington said.