The Trump administration will shift able-bodied Americans into better-paying jobs through stricter enforcement of a 90-day limit on food stamps, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told skeptical House lawmakers on Wednesday. Democrats such as Rep. Jim McGovern demanded proof that the plan would work and warned of litigation to stop the proposal, which could end SNAP benefits to more than 700,000 people.
Congress rejected stricter SNAP work requirements in the 2018 farm law. All the same, President Trump announced “immediate action on welfare reform” as he signed the farm bill. “It’s called work rules, and Sonny is able under this bill to implement them through regulation.”
The proposal would restrict state use of waivers that allow so-called able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) aged 18 to 49 to receive food stamps for more than the usual limit of 90 days in a three-year period unless they work at least 20 hours a week or spend equivalent time in job training. The 90-day limit was set as part of welfare reform in 1996.
“We are simply trying to preserve the integrity of the law,” said Perdue during a House Agriculture Committee hearing. “I believe [the waivers] are being abused in many areas.”
While waivers would continue to be available in areas with a jobless rate higher than 10 percent, the administration would require a jobless rate of 7 percent in areas with high relative unemployment. The criterion now is a local rate that is 20 percent above the U.S. average. Waivers currently are allowed in areas with insufficient jobs. The USDA proposal would eliminate labor surpluses as a criterion. It would limit waivers to 12 months, prevent states from covering broad swathes of territory with a single waiver, and end the ability of states to stockpile one-month exemptions for a portion of their ABAWD population.
The senior Republican on the committee, Michael Conaway of Texas, gave his full-throated support to stricter SNAP rules. “I am hopeful this moral hazard will be addressed,” said Conaway, who proposed stricter and broader work requirements in the farm bill. Republican Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee asked Perdue why anyone would oppose the dignity of work. “I have no clue,” said Perdue.
Ohio Democrat Marcia Fudge said the administration was engaging in “institutional rejection” of a congressional decision. “You can’t even tell me the facts,” she said after asking Perdue about the demographics of ABAWDs, such as how many are military veterans. Democrat Kim Schrier of Washington said jobs are scarce in rural parts of her district, so the stricter time limit would “result in more hunger, not more jobs.”
McGovern, of Massachusetts, asked repeatedly if the USDA had conducted research to show its proposal would be effective. “This is a very complex population,” he said. “This is not a bunch of people just hanging around.” McGovern said Democrats “will do everything we can,” even going to court, to protect ABAWDs from unduly harsh treatment.
Afterward, Agriculture chairman Collin Peterson said conservative Republicans had overplayed their hand during the farm bill debate and in pressing for a sweeping SNAP regulation. “They’re going to get sued. I’ll guarantee you [the proposed regulation] is not going to happen. McGovern’s already in the process of hiring lawyers.”
To watch a video of the hearing, click here.