Under the leadership of Michael Conaway, Republican from Texas, the House Agriculture Committee releases its new farm bill — legislation that governs the policy for our nation’s nutrition programs — that is precisely what we aim to do. “With record low unemployment, this renewed effort to get people trained to get back into the workforce makes perfect sense.” said CMS’s Managing Partner Brian Kelly.
Conaway, recently wrote in USA Today:
Our proposal is straightforward: help those on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) who are work-capable find employment to support their households. Under this proposal, work-capable SNAP recipients will need to work for at least 20 hours per week. That can take a variety of forms: they can work, participate in a work program, or participate in a SNAP employment and training (E&T) program.
This bill makes a significant investment in training and case management to guarantee access to an E&T slot to anyone who wants one.
But to ensure this investment yields results, we’re also making these work requirements mandatory. No more loopholes that create disincentives to work.
We are equipping states with resources to arm participants with the skills, certifications and education needed to succeed in today’s economy.
And that’s a critical point, because our economy is supporting more jobs and a higher standard of living for ALL Americans. Jobs that were once unavailable are now at an individuals’ fingertips if aided with the proper training and skill set.
SNAP recipients want to be beneficiaries of this economic growth. They want to take advantage of opportunities and meet the needs of our nation’s businesses.
Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas, is chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and on Twitter @ConawayTX11. Lee Bowes is CEO of America Works of New York, Inc., a training and placement company.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients is one of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit’s most used target groups.
Related:
Chairman Conaway Introduces the Agriculture and Nutrition Act
2018 Farm Bill will help address the economic challenges facing farmers and ranchers, while making historic investments in opportunities for SNAP recipients
Food-stamp work requirements will lift Americans out of poverty
We believe our plan can support nutrition for families in need while also creating opportunities that move people forward and improve their futures.