Sept. 11, 2018, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement praising Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and President Donald Trump for pushing for work requirements in the farm bill:
“President Donald Trump is right in calling for the inclusion of work requirements for the 20.2 million households participating in the food stamp (SNAP) program within the pending Farm Bill. While many of these SNAP recipients are currently working, jobs are plentiful for those who remain on the sidelines. The latest U.S. Labor Department Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey reports that there are 6.9 million jobs open and available with only 6.2 million unemployed Americans to fill them. Unfortunately, too many Americans remain on the job market sidelines. According to historical data, there are approximately 6.5 million fewer Americans ages 16-64 years in the workforce than would be expected if labor participation were the same as it was twenty years ago. SNAP work requirements would incentivize those who need a little extra help to provide for their families to rejoin the workforce and benefit not just from the helping hand of food assistance but also from gaining the dignity of a job and beginning to provide for themselves.
“The Trump economy is booming, but it can only continue to thrive if those who were left behind by past administration’s policies are brought back into the economy. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s efforts to include work requirements into the Farm Bill should be applauded by every American who wants to see our nation continue to restore our economic vibrancy and for it to include all Americans. Secretary Perdue also deserves praise for leading this reform effort as those who are encouraged to re-enter the workforce and get a job will regain the hope of an independent future. Now Congress needs to act by including work requirements in the pending farm bill. The time is right, the national need is there. Let’s restore dignity to those who are giving a helping hand.”
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