WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bush administration, seeking to reverse part of the 1996 welfare overhaul, on Wednesday proposed to restore food stamp benefits to 363,000 legal immigrants who have lived in the country for at least five years.
Under current rules, adult immigrants must have worked in the country for at least 10 years or be a refugee or member of the military to qualify for benefits. There is no work requirement in the White House proposal, which will be part of President Bush's 2003 budget.
A senior administration official who described the proposal on condition of anonymity said the change would go a long way toward meeting the needs of a number of children and adults.
The Senate is considering revisions in farm and nutrition programs that would lower the existing work requirement for immigrants from 10 years to four years.
Congressional Republicans have argued that a work or residency requirement is necessary to keep people from moving to the United States to take advantage of the welfare system.
Posted by Aethelwer (Member # 36) on :
Despite the good intentions, I think this is more evidence that the Republican party (much like the Democratic party) doesn't have any specific ideals or political/social/economic values, and just does whatever.
Posted by Tahna Los (Member # 33) on :
This just doesn't make any sense to me.
Republicans demand a work requirement to be eligible for welfare and food stamp benefits.
Bush says no.
I actually agree that some form of work requirement is necessary, that is, provided that the applicant has secured some employment at some point in time. 10 years *is* overkill, but *none* is even worse. At least 2 years would be sufficient. And make the benefits last for at least 3 years, just to have them getting back to work.
[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: Tahna Los ]
Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :
Is it just me or does it seem like Rob is on overdrive to take attention from the 'Paki' thing?
Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :
I'm just trying to maintain balance, to dampen the propaganda wave.
Yes, I understand the anxiety. One abbreviated word and the potential for a whiff of racism and the hint of manufactured scandal is FAR more important than environmental and social policy issues. But there you have it.
Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :
quote:The Senate is considering revisions in farm and nutrition programs that would lower the existing work requirement for immigrants from 10 years to four years.
Oh, you mean the Democratic senate? Stupid Dubya -- always trying to take credit for the actions of those evil liberals. Tsk tsk.