The Biden Administration has made a tentative agreement with Speaker McCarthy on the debt ceiling, caving to Republican demands that cut food and temporary assistance by imposing higher work requirements on certain beneficiaries, especially older adults. In response, Compass’ CEO Markita Morris-Louis released the following statement:
“Americans with low incomes shouldn’t be the ones to suffer in a political chess match over our national debt. Regardless of the expanded support it offers some beneficiaries, this so called “compromise” only passes the cost on to families who – frankly – haven’t caused this mess, have not benefited from previous tax-reform laws, and don’t have the financial bandwidth to spare. Research shows that work requirements do not work. They only increase barriers to accessing assistance, driving families deeper into poverty. And they are steeped in insidious stereotypes about families experiencing poverty that have no place in these negotiations, nor in our public programs in general. Our clients work hard every day, playing by the rules of an unfair game, doing everything they can to build a better future for their families. Obstacles like work requirements make it harder for families to get ahead, and we’re going to keep working to dismantle them.
“There is still time to right the course - if Congress and the administration are serious about adverting a financial crisis, they need to focus on ending subsidies for the wealthy and instead invest to expand programs and services that support households with low incomes. In these uncertain economic times with the costs of food and other necessities skyrocketing, families need support, not the ultra-rich. Investing in programs like the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program – which Compass operates in partnership with housing providers – can help families get ahead.”
Compass wrote to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development last month urging Congress to make a sustained investment in FSS. You can read the full letter here. This deal would freeze HUD’s budget and lock out eligible FSS beneficiaries and keeping people in poverty without incentive to strive for financial security.