Tim Huelskamp: “Today I rise in support of H.R. 1302. Participation in SNAP has grown 83 percent since 2008 and will cost us nearly $80…”

“Today I rise in support of H.R. 1302. Participation in SNAP has grown 83 percent since 2008 and will cost us nearly $80 billion this year alone. It is imperative that Congress takes steps to rein in this out-of-control entitlement, and I believe this bill does that. The work requirements in this bill go to the heart of the reforms I have been advocating since I began working on similar bills nearly 3 years ago. It follows a simple line of thought: if you are a healthy adult and don't have someone relying on you to care for them, you ought to earn the benefits you receive. Look for work, start job training to improve your skills, or do community service, but you can no longer sit on your couch or ride a surfboard, like Jason in California, and expect the Federal taxpayer to feed you. I also would like to applaud my home State of Kansas for moving to reinstate work requirements for Kansas adults. The folks in Kansas recognize that if you want to help people get back to work, you shouldn't pay them not to work. Washington should follow our example. Support fiscal responsibility. Support a paycheck over a welfare check. Support the bill. {time} 1645”