U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins published a joint opinion piece in the New York Times pushing for work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). She was joined in writing the opinion piece by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, and Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner.
“Work requirements will also give new life to America’s welfare programs, which are breaking under the weight of misplaced priorities. Our policy is reasonable and will protect welfare for the truly needy while improving the trajectory of millions of families — and of our federal government,” Secretary Rollins, Secretary Kennedy, Administrator Oz, and Secretary Turner wrote. “At the Departments of Agriculture, Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development, we are ready to implement work requirements. As we do so, we will work hand in hand with Congress, states, communities and individuals to make this vision a permanent reality. The benefits are clear: stronger economies and a renewed sense of purpose for millions of Americans.”
Last month, Secretary Rollins issued a memorandum to all state agencies administering SNAP making it clear states must ensure SNAP benefits are provided with an expectation that those who can work, do.