Key takeaways:
- President Joe Biden met with Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) to discuss the issue of federal spending and the government’s ability to continue borrowing money.
- Thompson proposed adding and tightening work requirements for able-bodied adults who apply for entitlements and benefits.
- Democrats are pushing for “clean” legislation, while Republicans are holding out for spending cuts and other provisions.
The debate over federal spending and the government’s ability to continue borrowing money to fund operations has been ongoing. Last week, President Joe Biden met with Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) at the White House to discuss the issue.
Thompson proposed adding and tightening work requirements for able-bodied adults who apply for entitlements and benefits, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. He suggested that the requirements could pair people with career and technical education. Biden suggested he was open to the idea.
Democrats, however, are pushing for “clean” legislation, a debt ceiling increase without conditions. Republicans, on the other hand, are holding out for spending cuts and other provisions. Each side has drawn their own “red lines” and negotiations are ongoing.
It is unclear at this time whether the across-the-board work requirement will be implemented. It is also unclear what the implications of such a requirement would be. Republicans have said for months that they want stricter work requirements as a way to save government money and encourage people to work.
The debate over the debt ceiling and federal spending is ongoing and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. The potential implementation of a work requirement for those who receive entitlements and benefits is just one of many issues being discussed.
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