Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) demanded work requirements for food stamps and Medicaid even though the majority of recipients are children, older adults, or people with disabilities.
During a Monday interview on Fox Business, host Maria Bartiromo asked Harris how Republicans could slash the budget if over 70 percent of spending was mandatory.
"You know, it's, yes, OK, so 76 percent of the spending is considered mandatory on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, but are there other programs in that 76 percent that don't touch those programs?" Bartiromo wondered.
"Look, we think that there should be work requirements for able-bodied people who choose not to work," Harris insisted. "We don't think they should be on Medicaid. We don't think they should be receiving food stamps."
"There are ways that, again, we can cut the tremendous increase in the what we call the non-Social Security, non-Medicare, non-interest payment part of mandatory spending," he continued. "There are tremendous opportunities. We have uncovered them."
"We're going to be talking about them over the next few weeks, because we think that's the goldmine that needs to be hit."
ALSO READ: 'Making America less safe': Democrats warn of disaster as Trump purges the CIA
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, two-thirds of those enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — or food stamps — are children. And the vast majority of Medicaid recipients are too old, too young, or are not able to work.
The majority of able-bodied adults receiving SNAP benefits do have jobs — although the work is often unstable.
