House Republicans are pushing to reassert work requirements across a swath of federal welfare programs to curb wasteful spending and fill job openings in the economy.
GOP lawmakers have introduced legislation in recent weeks to prohibit state governments from easing work requirements for federally-funded welfare programs. They also want to expand the age limit from 49 to 65 at which able-bodied adults without children must work to receive benefits.
“If our goal is to address the worker shortage, our peer countries have demonstrated that guaranteed child care and paid family and medical leave substantially increase workforce participation among women,” said Rep. Richard Neal, Massachusetts Democrat. GOP lawmakers say the inconsistency is because the federal government gives states wide latitude in determining what counts as “work.” States also receive a credit toward meeting the 50% work rate if they show reductions in overall TANF caseloads.
Similar growth has occurred in the level of individuals receiving Medicaid and food stamps over the past three years. “The ongoing labor shortage we have experienced over the past few years has made it difficult for small businesses,” said Rep. Jake LaTurner, Kansas Republican who is backing legislation to expand work requirements. “These commonsense bills will help able-bodied adults re-enter the workforce and end their reliance on taxpayer-funded government assistance.”
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