On the recordSeptember 26, 2023
I thank the gentleman from Missouri for putting forth this amendment. It is common sense. Able-bodied people ought to work. That is the bottom line. There are two things about this program. One is that my colleague on the other side of the aisle says you never know, the economy could get bad. Now, this is only a 1-year amendment. We are only discussing the next fiscal year. The President has said this is a great economy. I don't know what we are worried about. The President has said this economy is great. So don't worry about this amendment. It shouldn't be a problem. The other thing is that this is one of the greatest State scams in the country right now. States vie with each other as to who can get this waiver. Do you know what, Madam Chair? This is no cost to the State. We could solve this problem by just asking States to have a 20 percent copay. Do you think food stamps are a great deal or SNAP is a great deal? Great. The Federal Government pays 80, you pay 20, just like Medicaid. That means States will have skin in the game, and they won't go for these scams.





