Article Summary –
Republican Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio suggested that those struggling to make ends meet may lack a strong work ethic and proposed the Upward Mobility Act, a bill allowing certain states to impose stricter work requirements on public assistance recipients. Husted argued that federal policies encourage people to stay home by offering more financial support than they would earn working, and his bill aims to address the “benefits cliff” by tapering benefits rather than cutting them off abruptly. Critics, including Policy Matters Ohio and former Sen. Sherrod Brown, argue that this approach misrepresents the issue and could lead to loss of benefits, urging Husted to focus more on the challenges faced by Ohioans instead of blaming them.
Republican Sen. Jon Husted argued that Ohioans facing food insecurity might lack the necessary work ethic to change their situation.
In a Jan. 16 interview with WOWO radio, Husted discussed the Upward Mobility Act, a bill proposing stricter work requirements for public assistance.
Kayala Blakeslee, the host, inquired about the bill’s necessity.
“Our work ethic is broken,” Husted stated. “The federal government offers more money to stay home than work. That’s crazy.”
He criticized federal policies for “subsidizing people to stay home” and advocated for his bill to motivate public assistance recipients towards self-sufficiency.
Presently, federal law restricts states from imposing stringent work requirements on programs like SNAP. Husted’s bill suggests a pilot program allowing five states, including Ohio, to bypass these limits.
Husted asserts the bill addresses the “benefits cliff,” where slight income increases disqualify workers from aid. The proposal aims to taper benefits gradually.
Policy Matters Ohio contested the bill’s portrayal, warning that many could lose benefits immediately if states reduce them.
“Removing oversight of federal tax dollars is a step back,” said executive director Hannah Halbert, fearing it’s a move to deregulate and defund vital aid programs.
Husted’s comments are consistent with earlier advice for Ohioans to “earn more”, attributing rising costs largely to blue states.
Appointed to the Senate last year after Vice President J.D. Vance’s vacancy, Husted is campaigning for a full term in 2026 against Democrat Sherrod Brown.
Brown condemned Husted’s comments.
“Ohioans need leaders who advocate for them,” Brown said. “Husted should focus on their challenges rather than blaming them.”
The post Jon Husted tells struggling Ohioans to fix their ‘work ethic’ appeared first on American Journal News.
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