SNAP benefits were front and center this week in front of the House Ag Committee, and work requirements were a big focus.
South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson says none of the proposed cuts would hurt those who truly need the help.
“Do any of the existing work requirements impact pregnant women? Do any of them impact those with disabilities? Do any of them impact those people who live in areas with high unemployment?”
“No. Depending on how you define high, but yes, if high unemployment, no, the states can waive them.”
“Do any of them impact people who have young dependents at home? Okay, Mr. Chairman, I would observe that so much of the demonization that is done around work requirements have actually no evidentiary basis. With that, I would yield back.”
House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson says putting more able-bodied Americans to work is a win-win. Democrats largely pushed back on those changes. USDA found around $10 billion in overpayments were made to SNAP recipients in 2023, with some making those errors two years in a row.
