Trump: Too Many People 'Are Taking Advantage' Of Government Money
Erica
President Donald Trump is intent on overhauling the welfare system - something he claims is becoming a "very, very big subject, and people are taking advantage of the system."
Trump, who has been signaling interest in the issue for some time, said this past week that he wants to tackle the issue after the tax overhaul he is seeking by the end of the year. He said changes were “desperately needed in our country” and that his administration would soon offer plans.
Kathryn Edin, a professor at Johns Hopkins University who has been studying welfare since the 1990s, is skeptical of reform:
She questioned what kinds of changes could be made, arguing that welfare benefits are minimal in many states and there is little evidence of fraud in other anti-poverty programs.
Trump hinted at his willingness to attack welfare programs by way of his budget proposal released earlier this year:
Administration officials have already suggested they are eyeing anti-poverty programs. Trump’s initial 2018 budget proposal, outlined in March, sought to sharply reduce spending for Medicaid, food stamps and student loan subsidies, among other programs.
