The Congressional Budget Office has said the House Farm Bill would cut the nation's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by $20 billion, but Rep. Dave Brat said that description is the "wrong term."
"Sometimes it gets too political," the Virginia Republican told Fox News' "Fox & Friends."
"It will save us $20 billion as we get people out of welfare and into the workforce. Not only will it save us $20 billion, but they will be contributing to the GDP, paying taxes, taking care of their families and going up the wage ladder over time, so that's the win."
Congressional committees are working to resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, and one of the largest difference is in the work requirement Republicans want added to the food stamp program.
"Able-bodied folks, we want them in the labor force, so we incentivize it," said Brat. "They have to find work or 20 hours of getting ready for work, preparation, education, technical skills. It's the right thing to do fiscally. It saves $20 billion."
It's also the right thing to do "morally," said Brat. "The goal is not to keep people on government dependency, but to keep them in the thriving economy."
The economy is booming but still, 40 million citizens are not in the labor force, he added.
The move is also great for the family structure and solves many other issues facing Americans, including drug addiction and mental health issues.
"It gets people back in the labor force," said Brat. "It gives them dignity. It is positive. We need to teach our kids that work is a great thing. It's a win-win all around."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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