Debt ceiling bill's work requirements face GOP challenge and criticism.

House Republicans defend their expansion of work requirements for safety net programs in the debt ceiling bill, arguing that it would help people escape poverty and assist employers looking to hire. They also challenge the Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the package, which showed enrollment in the food stamps program would increase by 78,000 people in an average month when fully implemented, as well as grow spending by $2.1 billion over the decade. The compromise package would also tighten the current work requirements in the TANF program, primarily by adjusting the work participation rate credits that states can receive for reducing their caseloads.