Rep. Burlison introduces bill to ‘restore integrity of welfare system’

Southwest Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison has introduced the Ending the Cycle of Dependency Act of 2025 to restore integrity to America’s welfare system and empower able-bodied individuals to reenter the workforce.

“The best anti-poverty program is a job,” said Rep. Burlison. “For too long, millions of able-bodied adults have been trapped in a cycle of government dependency with no incentive to work. Hardworking taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize benefits for those who are fully capable of providing for themselves.”

Key Components Include:

• Expands work requirements to include parents on food stamps with children over six and raises the work requirement exemption age from 50
  to 60.
• Eliminates state loopholes that allow work requirement waivers, ensuring all able-bodied SNAP recipients are subject to the same standards.
• Codifies work requirements for able-bodied Medicaid recipients between the ages of 18-59 who do not have children under six.

By reinforcing work as a pathway to self-sufficiency, this legislation is expected to save taxpayers approximately $430 billion over the next decade, reduce reliance on government assistance, and strengthen the American workforce.