Housing Secretary Scott Turner sparked controversy this week by declaring that welfare has become "a lifestyle" in the U.S., urging that "able-bodied adults" receiving government assistance should be required to work.
America's welfare system was originally designed to support the most vulnerable — including low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. However, over the past decade, expansions in Medicaid and housing assistance have increased the number of working-age adults without dependents receiving benefits, raising concerns among conservatives about long-term dependency.
In a Fox Business appearance this week, Turner was asked about a recent New York Times article co-written by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Brooke Rollins, Mehmet Oz, and himself. The piece discusses welfare stances within the Trump administration in regards to enforcing "able-bodied adults" receiving welfare to work.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner: "We've created welfare as a lifestyle in our country, and you know America is not a welfare state ... able-bodied, able-minded people that are receiving HUD funding should go to work to restore dignity. Maria, you get up early in the morning and you… pic.twitter.com/tTrGgevYTe
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 15, 2025
Turner argued that federal housing recipients who are able to work should do so, stating, "We've created welfare as a lifestyle in our country," and emphasizing the need to restore "dignity" through employment.
His comments align with a broader push from Republicans to expand work requirements across programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Supporters argue that encouraging work fosters independence, while critics say such policies can harm low-income individuals already struggling to find stable employment.
Meanwhile, Trump leadership is advancing proposals that would require able-bodied recipients to work, volunteer, or attend job training at least 20 hours per week to continue receiving benefits.
Exceptions would apply for caregiving and health conditions.
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
