Republicans Push "Waste and Fraud" Narrative Again to Gut the Social Safety Net

"Congress hasn't finished the second reconciliation bill that funds the Department of Homeland Security, but Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), who chairs the House Budget Committee, has already started laying out his caucus's wish list for a third. In particular, he specified that Republicans want to pour billions of dollars into military spending. To offset those costs, Arrington is eyeing more cuts to safety net programs, disguised as "anti-fraud" measures."

"For the GOP, going after programs that help everyday people meet basic needs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) and Medicaid, is good politics - though it is bad policy. These programs support the health and well-being of children and families, as well as boost the economy. In contrast, cutting nutrition assistance and health care, as the first reconciliation bill - the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act - did, will increase poverty, hunger, and poor health."

"This, in turn, will impose significant long-term costs on all of us. These "fraud" narratives are grounded in longstanding racial and gender stereotypes. From Ronald Reagan's " welfare queen" to Bill Clinton's unwed teen mothers to the myth of "

"It's campaign season, and Republicans are eager to wave the flag of waste, fraud, and abuse. It's a way to distract the public from rising gas prices, tariffs, and an unpopular war that is definitely not over."

A third reconciliation wish list targets billions in military spending while seeking offsets through cuts to safety net programs. These cuts are presented as “anti-fraud” measures even though the second reconciliation bill for the Department of Homeland Security is not finished. The approach is described as political messaging that shifts attention from gas prices, tariffs, and an unpopular war. SNAP and Medicaid are characterized as supporting children and families, improving health and well-being, and boosting the economy. Cutting nutrition assistance and health care is said to raise poverty, hunger, and poor health, creating significant long-term costs. The “fraud” framing is also described as rooted in racial and gender stereotypes.

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