Out of Poverty – New Plan – New Pathway

House Republicans unveil a bold plan to reform food stamps, targeting millions of able-bodied recipients with new work requirements.

At a Glance

• Rep. Dusty Johnson to introduce “America Works Act of 2025”
• Bill requires 20 hours of work or education for able bodied, childless SNAP recipients aged 18-65
• Exceptions for high unemployment areas and certain groups
• GOP aims to use reconciliation process for budget priorities
• Democrats warn of potential harm to vulnerable populations

GOP Pushes for SNAP Reform

House Republicans are taking aim at federal benefits with a new proposal that would impose work requirements on a wider range of Americans receiving food stamps. Rep. Dusty Johnson, chair of the right-wing pragmatist Main Street Caucus, is spearheading the effort with the “America Works Act of 2025.” This bill targets childless, able-bodied recipients of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) between the ages of 18 and 65, mandating at least 20 hours per week of work or work-related education.

The proposed legislation aligns with the Republican administration’s focus on reducing government spending and promoting self-sufficiency. President Trump has long advocated for stricter welfare policies, emphasizing the importance of work in lifting people out of poverty. The GOP sees this as an opportunity to reform SNAP and potentially achieve significant cost savings while encouraging beneficiaries to become more self-reliant.

Exceptions and Flexibility

While the bill aims to tighten work requirements, it does include some flexibility. The Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees food stamps, would have the ability to exempt individuals living in counties where the unemployment rate exceeds 10%. This provision acknowledges that local economic conditions can impact job availability and seeks to avoid unduly burdening those in areas with limited employment opportunities.

“Able-bodied people who can work should work if we want to continue to have our welfare programs be pathways out of poverty,” Johnson told Fox News Digital in an interview. “There is no reliable path out of poverty that doesn’t have work, training and education at its core.”

The bill would remove exemptions for young adults who aged out of foster care and veterans, which were part of the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act. Johnson argues that these exemptions were not helpful in getting these groups to a better financial path. However, exceptions would remain in place for pregnant women, people with disabilities, and those in high-unemployment areas.

'Escape poverty': Millions more food stamp recipients required to work under new House GOP proposal https://t.co/g1v7nS09V1

— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 24, 2025

Budget Reconciliation and Political Strategy

The introduction of this bill comes as House Republicans prepare to negotiate spending cut targets as part of their plans to advance President Trump’s agenda through the budget reconciliation process. This strategy allows the party in power to pass budgetary priorities with a simple majority, bypassing potential opposition from Democrats.

“It would be expected to be a major cost-savings, and while I think that’s important, my primary motivator is how much work requirements have proven to improve lives as opposed to how much money they save. I want people to escape poverty.”

The GOP’s focus on welfare reform extends beyond SNAP, with similar proposals being considered for Medicaid. Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed support for tying work requirements to Medicaid benefits, suggesting it could improve both budgeting and morale. These efforts reflect a broader conservative philosophy that emphasizes the dignity of work and the importance of reducing dependency on government assistance.