Chairman Roberts’ Statement on USDA SNAP Work Requirements Proposed Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today released the following statement after U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a proposed rule to update Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) requirements for states to qualify for waivers from work time-limits for able-bodied adults without dependents.

“Though the SNAP program currently has work requirements that most states enforce, it makes sense to review the process used by states for exemption from these work requirements, so states who request a waiver are using the same criteria as states like Kansas, which does not have a waiver,” said Chairman Roberts. “This is complimentary to the Farm Bill that we just passed which included measures to engage the business community and to increase the accountability of SNAP employment and training so people can learn the skills needed in the workforce.”

Chairman Roberts held a hearing on the SNAP program in preparation for the Farm Bill reauthorization.