Work brings dignity, and work requirements are a good thing

The recent debate over President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill Act has laid bare the fundamental divide between Republicans and Democrats on the role of the individual in society at large, — a divide rooted in competing visions of human potential and responsibility.

Democrats believe the government’s role is to spend unlimited tax dollars on inefficient programs. Republicans, on the other hand, reject the idea of government as the arbiter of success and the owner of our rights. The government’s duty is not to offer never-ending handouts, but to be the hand up that individuals need to get on the path to self-sufficiency.

Individuals thrive when they are active participants and contributors to their communities. We all have responsibilities to our families, neighbors, colleagues, friends, and fellow taxpayers. As Americans, we share a duty to minimize our burden on the public purse. For citizens facing genuine hardship — illness, disability, or temporary setbacks — government aid exists as a vital safety net. Despite the falsehoods peddled by some Democrats, no one in Congress seeks to strip this away.

But for able-bodied Americans, the expectation is clear: Be an active participant in the society that supports you. And in America, our government works best as a facilitator of opportunity, not a guarantor of outcomes.

Democrats’ push for expansive, no-strings-attached welfare risks trapping millions in dependency, stripping them of the dignity that comes from productive work. It’s not cruel to expect able-bodied adults to participate in the workforce; it is cruel to let them languish in a system that stifles their potential.

Work requirements for government assistance aren’t a punishment. They are meant to restore purpose to people's lives. I have seen this firsthand. I lived it. I grew up in poverty, surrounded by family members who allowed the welfare system to dominate them — to keep them in a cycle of poverty that extended from generation to generation. The only reasons I am here today are my commitment to work and the opportunities America offers to take a dream, apply some elbow grease, and build something great.

America’s greatness stems from a core belief: Anyone, regardless of origin, can achieve success through effort and ingenuity. From garage startups and dorm-room dreams, our nation’s history is filled with stories of ordinary people who worked relentlessly to build extraordinary lives. This ethos remains alive today. Work isn’t just a means to an end; it’s a source of pride, a way to forge connections, and a path to self-reliance.

Democrats’ rhetoric often paints self-sufficiency as heartless, but nothing could be further from the truth. Encouraging work is about affirming the inherent worth of every individual. It’s about recognizing that we’re not meant to be isolated and dependent, but active members of a vibrant community, contributing to the common good.

The One Big, Beautiful Bill reflects this vision, ensuring government aid supports those who truly need it while empowering others to stand on their own. A government that rewards entrepreneurial spirit will inevitably foster growth and expand prosperity among its people.

In a nation built on opportunity, the dignity of work is non-negotiable. Republicans will continue to champion policies that uplift individuals, not by coddling them, but by trusting in their ability to rise. That’s not just a conservative principle — it’s the American way.

Kevin Hern represents Oklahoma's First Congressional District.