A House Republican is renewing his effort to expand work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Rep. Dusty Johnson, a Republican from South Dakota, plans to reintroduce his America Works Act on Tuesday. The bill would amend existing work requirements for SNAP, the largest food assistance program in the United States.
Currently, about 42 million Americans rely on SNAP for support, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Johnson, who grew up using the program, understands its importance. However, he believes work requirements will help people move out of poverty. He says the goal is to help people escape poverty, not trap them in it.
The proposed bill would require able-bodied adults without dependents to work or participate in job training for at least 20 hours a week to receive benefits. Additionally, the bill would expand the work requirement age range to 18-65 years. It would also prevent states from grouping areas with high unemployment with those that have lower unemployment rates to manipulate eligibility. However, Johnson’s proposal would allow adults with children up to seven years old to be exempt from these requirements.
Johnson argues that the bill could save the government money, though reducing federal spending is not his main motivation. He insists that his primary goal is to improve the SNAP program. On the other hand, critics believe the bill will limit access to food assistance for those who need it most. A report by the Economic Policy Institute warns that expanding work requirements could fail to address the real issue—economic conditions, especially for low-income individuals.
Opponents of stricter work requirements also argue that the additional paperwork required to apply for benefits may prevent deserving families from receiving assistance. Moreover, SNAP has long been a contentious issue between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats argue that the proposed changes could lead to fewer people receiving benefits, or even cause some to lose eligibility altogether.
Rep. Johnson expressed frustration over the Democratic response to his bill. He criticized their claims, calling them factually inaccurate. According to Johnson, his bill makes it clear that work requirements do not apply to seniors, people with disabilities, or pregnant women. In fact, he believes work is an opportunity, not a punishment.
This ongoing debate highlights the cultural divide around welfare programs in the U.S. Johnson hopes to revive bipartisan support for his proposal, while critics continue to oppose it. The future of SNAP remains uncertain, but this latest push could redefine how the program works.
