Assembly approves food stamp work requirement

MADISON — The Wisconsin Assembly has approved increasing work requirements for food stamp recipients.

The Republican-controlled Assembly voted 62-35 along party lines Thursday to increase work requirements for able-bodied adults from 20 hours to 30 hours per week and impose the requirement on parents for the first time.

Democratic Rep. Lisa Subeck calls it an "election-year gimmick" designed to "fire up" the Republican base.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says the bills and others up for passage targeting welfare recipients are designed to get more people in the workforce.

He says, "We need more workers. We need every single person to help fill the gap with our record low unemployment."

The bills now head to the Senate where they are also expected to pass.