April 27, 2023
D.C. News | Tea Leaves
  • Yesterday, House Republicans passed the debt ceiling bill, which pushes work requirements for millions receiving Medicaid and food stamps. The supporters of the bill see work requirements as serving two purposes, allowing reduced government spending while bolstering the nation’s labor force at a time when many businesses are still struggling to staff up. Under the package, childless, able-bodied adults ages 18 to 55 could get food stamps for only three months out of every three years unless they are employed at least 20 hours a week or meet other criteria. Currently, that mandate applies to those ages 18 to 49, though it has been suspended during the COVID-19 public health emergency, which expires next month. (Articles here and here)