Johnson leads 24 Republicans in introducing America Works Act

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) on Tuesday led two dozen of his Republican colleagues in introducing legislation that would reform work requirements to put more low-income, able-bodied Americans to work.

“Work is the best pathway out of poverty,” Rep. Johnson said. “Work requirements have proven to be effective, and people who can work should work.”

Rep. Johnson sponsored the America Works Act of 2023, H.R. 1581, with 24 original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) and August Pfluger (R-TX). The bill would reform work requirements for able-bodied Americans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers. 

Current federal law requires able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) who are younger than 49 years old and receive SNAP benefits to participate in work, training, or education for 20 hours a week, according to the summary, but 18 states now utilize waivers to exempt ABAWDs from work requirements.

If enacted, H.R. 1581 would close the loophole allowing such waivers, the summary says.

Among several provisions, H.R. 1581 would raise the age limit of 18 to 49 for an ABAWD to 18 to 65, consistent with the age individuals become eligible for Medicare, according to the bill summary.

Additionally, the measure would eliminate the ability of states to carry over exemption waivers from year to year to reduce abuses of the law, the summary says.

“With more than 11 million open jobs, there are plenty of opportunities for SNAP recipients to escape poverty and build a better life,” said Rep. Johnson.