NW Kentucky News

Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services Chairman Glenn Grothman has announced a hearing to discuss the expansion of welfare programs over the past 60 years. The hearing, titled "Examining the Growth of the Welfare State, Part 1," aims to address issues within the current welfare system and explore potential reforms.

The federal government allocates nearly $1.2 trillion annually to over 80 welfare programs. Critics argue that this system fosters dependency on federal assistance, penalizes married couples, and encourages recipients to remain in poverty rather than seek better opportunities. There is also concern about fraudulent activities that exploit improper payments in programs like Medicaid and food stamps, leading to significant taxpayer losses.

"Welfare programs were originally designed in the 1960s to help Americans escape poverty, not to foster long-term dependence on government assistance," said Subcommittee Chairman Grothman. He emphasized the need for serious reforms to address these issues, including marriage penalties and benefits for illegal immigrants. Grothman stated that the current system negatively impacts taxpayers, welfare recipients, and national growth.

The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. ET in room 2247 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Expert witnesses include Robert Rector from The Heritage Foundation and Patrice Onwuka from the Independent Women's Forum.