Congress has a once-in-a-generation chance to fix welfare in the farm bill

For millions of families stuck in government dependence, the stakes couldn’t be higher: Their opportunity to experience work through welfare reforms that promote work is in the hands of congressional members. It’s a historic moment — the unemployment rate is low, and there are more than six million available jobs across the country. The opportunity is there, but the number of able-bodied adults stuck on food stamps is at crisis levels.

Voters are looking for reformers to craft a farm bill that restores the food stamp program as a temporary safety net, not a trap. To achieve success, the farm bill must include reforms that promote work for able-bodied adults, prioritize resources for the truly needy, and combat waste, fraud, and abuse.