Stauber Introduces Legislation to Block Minneapolis Basic Income Pilot Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) introduced the Stop Disincentivizing Work Act, legislation that prevents federal COVID-19 funding from being used to create long term government handout programs, such as the guaranteed basic income pilot programs being implemented in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Joining Congressman Stauber in introducing this legislation are fellow Minnesota representatives Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), Tom Emmer (MN-06), and Michelle Fischbach (MN-07).
Congressman Stauber stated, "I have heard firsthand accounts from countless small businesses owners who are struggling to find workers to fill their job openings. This massive labor shortage was a preventable problem caused by policies that disincentivized work. Federal dollars cannot be going towards programs that will only exacerbate this problem. It is far past time we fully reopen our economy and get people back to work. I will not sit by as Democrats across the nation continue to pay able-bodied people with our taxpayer dollars not to work."
"A number of benefits provided during the pandemic were meant to be temporary, but now they are becoming long-term ‘welfare traps,' incentivizing Americans not to work," said Congressman Hagedorn. "Federal dollars should not be funding universal basic income programs that are operating under the guise of COVID relief. Government handouts are causing major labor shortages and forcing dependency. We need to put forth policies that facilitate economic growth and get our nation back to work."
Congressman Emmer said, "Our nation is already facing workforce and inflation crises triggered by Democrats' spending sprees. The American people deserve the freedom to live independently and the opportunity to thrive."
"The city of Minneapolis is intending to use Covid relief funds to provide an unconditional taxpayer funded paycheck to a small number of people. Meanwhile they have openly stated that they plan to track the group that receives these funds and compare them against struggling low-income individuals who will not receive assistance," said Rep. Michelle Fischbach. "This is not Covid relief. This is a cruel social experiment and working Americans should not have their taxes spent on this socialist experiment."
Full text of the bill can be found here.
Under the Stop Disincentivizing Work Act, funding authorized by the following pieces of legislation would be prohibited from being used for guaranteed basic income, to individuals or households:
- The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act
- The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- The CARES Act
- The Consolidated Appropriations Act
- The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
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