Gaetz-led GOP lawmakers ask Biden to create work requirements for welfare amid debt crisis

Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, along with a group of fellow GOP lawmakers, wrote on Tuesday to President Joe Biden asking him to enact work requirements for welfare recipients as a means of reducing federal spending amid a looming debt crisis and ongoing congressional battle over the debt ceiling.

"As the United States approaches the brink of untenable debt levels, I write to urge you to work with the United States Congress to enact work requirements as a feature of welfare reform," Gaetz and co. wrote.

GOP Reps. Ralph Norman, S.C.; Andy Biggs, Ariz.; Dan Bishop, N.C.; and Lauren Boebert, Colo.; also signed on the letter.

"In a 10-year period, commonsense welfare reform could save the United States billions of dollars," the lawmakers argued. "Most of all, structural reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will better position funding for people in need while incentivizing able-bodied people to return to the workforce."

"Work requirements for able-bodied adults promote community engagement and a transition to self-sufficiency," they wrote. "These proposals would build on actions taken by the Trump administration to crack down on states' abuse of waivers for able-bodied adults, which began under the Obama administration. Breaking this poverty trap will help future generations avoid welfare programs altogether."

The letter comes as the nation has hit its $31.38 trillion debt limit, which is prompting Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to enact "extraordinary measures" to keep the government afloat.

Democrats have pushed for a clean increase to the debt ceiling while Republicans in both chambers have signaled they will not acquiesce to a debt limit increase without structural budget reforms to address the national debt.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell previously worked with Democrats to enact an omnibus spending package at the end of 2022 that set the budget for this year, minimizing the leverage of Republican lawmakers in the current budgetary battle.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.