Every five years, Congress considers a patchwork of policies that oversee a range of food and agricultural initiatives for the entire country. It's known as the Farm Bill.
This year, the bill has faced significant hurdles as legislators have not yet reached a compromise on work requirements for those receiving food assistance benefits.
To qualify, Michiganders are required to work an average of 20 hours per week. Some Republican lawmakers want to increase that threshold.
Senator Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat, says she’s intent on keeping the requirements as is.
“In fact, adding more to that just takes away the ability for people to get food rather than helping," she said during a stop at Michigan State University on Wednesday.
In April of 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, work requirements were suspended for all Michigan residents receiving food assistance benefits. That suspension was lifted in July of this year.
"Now they're back in place and so, for folks who say 'We need work requirements,' I say to them, 'We have work requirements, and they have been effective,'" Stabenow said. "We need to do whatever we can to support those who want help around job training and assistance and to be able to get into jobs."
Phil Knight is the CEO of the Food Council of Michigan. He says he would like to see the work requirements eliminated entirely.
Source: wkar.org
Categories: Michigan, Government & Policy