Just in time for the holidays, the Trump administration gave final approval for a new rule that will push nearly 700,000 low-income Americans from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as the federal food stamp program.

According to The New York Times, the rule “would make states enforce work requirements for able-bodied adults without children that governors have routinely been allowed to waive, especially for areas in economic distress.”

The administration has argued that under President Donald Trump, America’s economy has improved and help for unemployed, able-bodied adults in a strong job market is unnecessary.

“Government can be a powerful force for good, but government dependency has never been the American dream,” said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, whose department administers SNAP benefits. “We need to encourage people by giving them a helping hand but not allowing it to become an indefinitely giving hand.”

Esquire’s Charles Pierce noted that rule changes such as this are likely one reason Republicans are more than happy to look the other way when Trump engages in questionable — or even impeachable — behavior: “Wonder why no Republican will ‘break’ with this president*? This is why. He’s still allowing them to do whatever they want, as long as they don’t interfere with his crimes and profiteering.”

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