Congressman Krishnamoorthi Introduces BURDEN Act to Force Congress to Complete the Medicaid and SNAP Paperwork They Imposed on Millions

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) introduced the Bringing Unfair Reporting Duties to Electeds Now (BURDEN) Act, a bill that would require Members of Congress to personally comply with the same burdensome work requirement paperwork they imposed on low-income Americans under President Trump’s so-called “Large Lousy Law” budget reconciliation package, which became law earlier this month.

Under the BURDEN Act, Members of Congress would be barred from enrolling in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program unless they submit monthly proof of “community engagement," the same bureaucratic reporting required of Medicaid recipients. Additionally, the bill requires Members to complete and submit the same paperwork now mandated for SNAP recipients to verify employment, income, and eligibility on a recurring basis.

“President Trump’s reckless ‘Large Lousy Law’ forces millions of vulnerable Americans to jump through hoops just to keep food on the table or get the medical care they need,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “If Congressional Republicans think these burdens are appropriate for struggling families, then Members of Congress should shoulder them too. The BURDEN Act simply says, if you want taxpayer-funded health coverage, prove you meet the same standards you’re imposing on the American people.”

The “Large Lousy Law” slashes Medicaid by over $1 trillion, imposes sweeping work requirements, and adds layers of red tape that threaten access to health care and nutrition assistance for millions of Americans—including working parents, caregivers, and individuals with unstable or part-time employment. According to the Congressional Budget Office, more than 17 million Americans are projected to lose their health care under the new law.

Key provisions of the BURDEN Act include:

• Requiring Members of Congress to submit monthly certifications proving they meet Medicaid work requirement standards for “community engagement” — typically including documented employment, job training, or approved volunteer work.

• Requiring Members to complete and submit recurring SNAP eligibility documentation, including income reporting, employment verification, and other required paperwork, on the same schedule as SNAP recipients.

• Prohibiting enrollment in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program for Members who fail to comply with these requirements.

By exposing the double standard in how burdensome requirements are applied, the BURDEN Act seeks to restore basic fairness and highlight the real-world consequences of Republican policies that target working families.

The full copy of the bill is available here.

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