Speaker O’Brien Dusts Off “Welfare Queen” Meme

In 1976, Ronald Reagan waged war on “welfare queens,” mythical recipients of public assistance who lived a life of luxury while refusing to work. The storyline tapped false stereotypes of women (uncontrolled sexuality) and African-Americans (laziness) and shaped enduring American attitudes on poverty.

Last month, state House Speaker Bill O’Brien dusted off the welfare queen meme.

“They pay mothers to have children out of wedlock and then wonder why family is breaking down, welfare programs are constantly growing, and children come to school with problems so severe that they can’t be educated.”

Today we learned Rep. Neal Kurk and Speaker O’Brien want the legislature to act on that storyline by barring increased payments to women who have children while receiving public assistance.

Kurk wants to bar any increase, which now sends a TANF household an extra $60 per month when a new child is born.

O’Brien congratulated Kurk on bringing the measure forward.

“We’re going to require people to make responsible decisions. If you don’t have enough money to take care of the family you have, you don’t have more children,” O’Brien said.