Aiming to close what they call a “loop hole” in the government’s supplemental food program, House Republicans are backing a new bill that would impose further restrictions on those seeking aid.
The “No Welfare for the Wealthy Act” would put an end to the “Broad Based Categorical Eligibility” (BBCE) standard that is currently used in 41 states and the District of Columbia.
Rep. Ben Cline of Virginia introduced the bill and claims that at least five million people “do not meet federal asset and/or income requirements” for the program and yet receive benefits anyway, according to an official press release.
“It’s no surprise that Big Government just keeps finding ways to spend more of Americans’ taxpayer dollars and encourage waste and fraud – even if it comes at the expense of the truly needy,” Cline wrote in the release. “The Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility loophole is a system created by federal bureaucrats that allows the wealthy to receive taxpayer-funded food stamps without checking their assets.”
Cline said that the current system ignores some assets recipients might own, including boats, RVs and cash.
“Whether intentional or not, no one should be able to receive these benefits if they are ineligible,” Cline added. “The No Welfare for the Wealthy Act will prevent states from abusing this loophole and protect resources that should only go to the most vulnerable among us.”
Cline alleges that his bill would save American taxpayers nearly $7 billion per year.
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