But keep in mind, that is only a 0.2% increase, so statistically, maybe not as significant. So how might this proposed spending cut end up increasing participation?īUSTILLO: Well, the Congressional Budget Office is predicting that there could be about 78,000 people added to food stamps. Then the Congressional Budget Office came out with its prediction, which found that there could be a slight increase in participation. Veterans and homeless folks of any age and youth who aged out of foster care would be exempt from these work requirements. And Democrats got something a little extra. In the end, there were no changes to Medicaid, and Republicans did win an age increase, though only to 54. But Democrats and progressives really pushed back against that. Food stamps currently limit so-called able-bodied adults without dependents ages 18 to 50 to three months of food stamp benefits during any 36-month period when they cannot show that they're employed or working in a training program for at least 20 hours a week. MARTÍNEZ: So, Ximena, how is this supposed to help?īUSTILLO: Well, the House Republicans were threatening to increase work requirements specifically for those ages 50 to 55 for food stamps and Medicaid. KEVIN MCCARTHY: There's going to be people on welfare today that will no longer be on welfare, that they will find a job because of the work requirement. I want to play a clip from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who tried to explain why he thinks this bill could actually help people on welfare programs. Ximena, you've been covering food assistance. And President Biden said he will sign the bill as soon as possible. Here is Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer after the Senate's vote last night.ĬHUCK SCHUMER: I'm happy to stand here passing this critical legislation to support our families, preserve vital programs and, most importantly, avoid catastrophic default.īUSTILLO: Schumer was threatening to keep members here over the weekend to get this through. XIMENA BUSTILLO, BYLINE: Well, it appears like crisis has been averted for now. ![]() Ximena, so is everything all good now with America and the debt? MARTÍNEZ: NPR politics reporter Ximena Bustillo has been following the process. On Monday, one of the biggest sticking points among negotiators crafting the deal were new work requirements for social safety net programs. It now goes to President Biden to sign into law before the government runs out of money to pay its bills. ![]() The Senate narrowly passed the debt ceiling bill that will prevent the country from defaulting on its loans.
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