Trump is bypassing Congress to enact stricter work requirements for food stamps


On Thursday, the Trump administration unveiled proposed new rules that would make it harder for people without jobs to get food stamps. The proposal was announced by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, and it would bypass Congress, which just passed a farm bill that did not include a House Republican measure to attach new work requirements for food stamp recipients. It would affect about 755,000 people, The Washington Post reports.
The number of able-bodied people with no dependents who use food assistance in some states "is unacceptable to most Americans and belies common sense, particularly when employment opportunities are as plentiful as they currently are," Perdue said on a press call. "This restores the dignity of work to a sizeable segment of our population," and could save the federal government billions of dollars. The public has 60 days to comment on the proposal.
Currently, most adult with dependents or disabilities have to work or be in job training if they get food stamps for more than three months over three years, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture can waive those requirements for states with unemployment rates 20 percent above the average. The new rule says states must have an unemployment rate above 7 percent. Since the work requirement was enacted in 1996, every state but Delaware has requested a waiver at some point.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sen. Pat Roberts, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, suggested that the farm bill would not have passed "had we not allowed the administration to handle [food stamps] in the way they feel is the best way to handle it." But the committee's top Democrat, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) questioned whether Trump can ramp up work requirements unilaterally. "Congress writes laws, and the administration is required to write rules based on the law," she said. "I do not support unilateral and unjustified changes that would take food away from families."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Why are white South Africans emigrating?
The Explainer As the US welcomes Afrikaner refugees, the general exodus of South Africa's white population continues to grow
-
Why the weather keeps getting 'stuck'
In the Spotlight Record hot and dry spring caused by 'blocked' area of high pressure above the UK
-
Can Starmer sell himself as the 'tough on immigration' PM?
Today's Big Question Former human rights lawyer 'now needs to own the change – not just mouth the slogans' to win over a sceptical public
-
Warren Buffet announces surprise retirement
speed read At the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the billionaire investor named Vice Chairman Greg Abel his replacement
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores
-
Trump's China tariffs start after Canada, Mexico pauses
Speed Read The president paused his tariffs on America's closest neighbors after speaking to their leaders, but his import tax on Chinese goods has taken effect
-
Chinese AI chatbot's rise slams US tech stocks
Speed Read The sudden popularity of a new AI chatbot from Chinese startup DeepSeek has sent U.S. tech stocks tumbling
-
US port strike averted with tentative labor deal
Speed Read The strike could have shut down major ports from Texas to Maine