Twice on Tuesday, Speaker Kevin McCarty discussed the debt limit bill in a way that sounded like he was trying to force children to get jobs.
Here is McCarthy on Fox and Friends:
Kevin McCarthy says on Fox & Friends that the debt ceiling bill will prevent children from … collecting welfare? pic.twitter.com/46DM03K1Be
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 30, 2023
McCarthy said, “In this family, we have a child, able bodies, no kids sitting on the couch collecting welfare. We’re going to put work requirements on that individual so that he’s going to have to go get a job.”
McCarthy later, while talking to reporters repeated his clumsy language:
McCarthy: We might have a child that has no job, no dependents but sitting on the couch, we’re going to encourage that person to get a job and have to go to work, which gives them worth and value. pic.twitter.com/HwUrHKXihb
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 30, 2023
The work requirement in the agreement applies to able-bodied childless adults age 18-55, who are receiving SNAP. Those people make up roughly 7% of SNAP recipients.
McCarthy was suggesting that able-bodied people getting SNAP is a widespread issue. It’s not. The work requirement that McCarthy is touting is virtually meaningless.
Forget soccer practice, you’re going to work after school.
Kevin McCarthy has so badly bungled this entire process that it makes perfect sense that he would be out there making it sound like the budget agreement is pro-child labor.
If the budget deal makes it through the House, it will do so despite Kevin McCarthy, not because of him.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
