HR 884: President of the United States and Congress; increased state autonomy to allow for creation of innovative solutions to work disincentives and reform of social safety net programs; urge

This resolution does not change Georgia law. Instead, it formally asks the President of the United States and Congress to loosen federal restrictions so states can experiment with reforming public assistance programs like welfare and food aid. The resolution cites research suggesting many families receiving public assistance avoid earning more money because it could trigger a 'benefits cliff,' where a small raise causes a larger loss of benefits. It asks federal officials to grant states more flexibility for pilot programs, speed up waiver approvals, expand block grants (lump sums states can use with fewer federal strings attached) for safety net programs, simplify federal reporting requirements, and generally embrace federalism so states can experiment with reforms. The House Clerk is directed to send copies to Georgia's congressional delegation, the White House, congressional leaders, and the federal Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture.

• Formally urges the President and Congress to give states more flexibility to test pilot programs addressing work disincentives in social safety net programs.
• Calls on federal officials to speed up approval of waivers that let states experiment with welfare program reforms.
• Urges Congress to expand block grants, or lump-sum federal funding with fewer restrictions, for a wider range of safety net programs.
• Asks the federal government to simplify and combine reporting requirements states must submit, to reduce administrative costs.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to Georgia's congressional delegation and several federal officials and agencies.

Families receiving public assistance in Georgia, state agencies that administer welfare and safety net programs, and federal officials including the President, Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Agriculture, who are the direct audience of this request.

The resolution carries no legal force and changes no program rules on its own, but it signals Georgia lawmakers' interest in redesigning benefit programs to reduce 'benefits cliffs' that can discourage low-income workers from earning more, a step toward possible future federal or state policy changes.

• Cites research from the Sutherland Institute and Georgia Center for Opportunity showing many public assistance recipients limit their earnings out of fear of losing benefits.
• Resolves that the House urges the President and Congress to grant states flexibility to experiment with pilot programs addressing work disincentives.
• Resolves that the House urges expedited waiver approvals for states pursuing safety net reforms.
• Resolves that the House urges expansion of block grants covering more existing social safety net programs.
• Resolves that the House urges streamlined and consolidated state-to-federal reporting requirements.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to Georgia's congressional delegation, the White House, congressional leaders, and two federal departments.

1. 2025-04-04House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-04-02House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-31House Hopper (House)

• Houston Gaines (R, HD-120)Primary sponsor
• Rick Jasperse (R, HD-11)
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-48)
• Gerald Greene (R, HD-154)
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-13)

• social safety net reform
• welfare policy
• benefits cliffs
• federalism
• public assistance