Brooks: House Approach Returns Integrity to Safety-Net Program

Statement

Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks (R-IN) released the following statement today after voting in favor of the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act:

"This legislation returns our food stamp program to a true safety-net program; ensuring our most vulnerable Americans can feed their families and move their way up the economic success ladder. The sensible bill we passed today will save taxpayer dollars through smart reforms without endangering programs that are critical to feeding the hungry.

Ensuring states engage able-bodied adults without children in work and job training programs as a condition of receiving food stamps is a sensible return to the bipartisan welfare reform that happened under the Clinton Administration. The misguided 2009 stimulus waived this sensible work requirement through 2010, and the Obama Administration continues to waive this work requirement. The number of able-bodied adults under the age of 50 without children enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) grew by 163.7 percent from 2007-2011. To turn our economy around, we must encourage people to get back to work. Additionally, this bill pays greater attention to eligibility requirements to eliminate fraudulent payments. Only individuals who actually meet the asset and income tests in SNAP should receive benefits.

Thankfully, this bill provides an opportunity to bolster funding for programs that are succeeding in their mission of feeding the hungry and empowering the poor. The $50 million increase in funding to The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) will expand the reach and success of food banks across the nation. Charitable organizations and food banks are more capable of understanding the demands of their community and meeting those demands. Additionally, children eligible to receive school nutrition benefits will continue to do so.

Critics of this legislation will contend that House Republicans have abandoned our most needy Americans. This couldn't be further from the truth. We simply want to see more taxpayer dollars used for their stated purpose and in the most effective manner possible. In this case, that means feeding the hungry and maintaining the integrity of this safety-net program."

Source