S. 785 (Sethlandian Self-Reliance Act)

[RayXP]

S. 785

The Sethlandian Self-Reliance Act

Sponsored by: Senator Robert Bergtrom (R-AZ)

In the Sethland Senate

BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill aims to eliminate all federal government welfare programs and benefits in order to end reliance on taxpayer-funded assistance and promote self-sufficiency among American citizens. By removing welfare programs, this legislation seeks to encourage workforce participation, economic growth, and individual responsibility while reducing the national debt and federal spending.

BILL CREATED FOR:
To foster a culture of self-reliance, reduce government dependency, and create an economic environment where Americans are incentivized to work, innovate, and contribute to society without government assistance.

SECTIONS:

SECTION 1: Definitions
(a) “Welfare programs” refer to any federal assistance programs providing direct monetary aid, subsidies, or in-kind benefits to individuals, including but not limited to:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Medicaid
- Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assistance
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- Child Tax Credit
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Any other federal program providing financial assistance based on income levels.

SECTION 2: Termination of Federal Welfare Programs
(a) All federal welfare programs listed in Section 1 shall be permanently terminated within 12 months of this bill’s enactment.
(b) Any remaining funds allocated for these programs shall be redirected toward reducing the national debt.

SECTION 3: Repeal of Welfare-Related Legislation
(a) All previous legislation authorizing or funding federal welfare programs shall be repealed in their entirety.
(b) Federal agencies managing welfare programs shall be defunded and disbanded within 24 months.

SECTION 4: Incentivizing Workforce Participation
(a) The Department of Labor shall implement workforce development initiatives, including:
- Skills training and apprenticeship programs
- Public-private partnerships to increase employment opportunities
- Job placement services for former welfare recipients
(b) Employers will be encouraged to offer hiring incentives for individuals transitioning from government assistance to employment.

SECTION 5: State Autonomy Over Assistance Programs
(a) Individual states may establish their own assistance programs without federal funding or oversight.
(b) The federal government will not provide financial aid to states for welfare-related initiatives.

SECTION 6: Criminalization of Federal Student Loan Forgiveness
(a) The federal government is prohibited from enacting, funding, or enforcing any program that forgives, cancels, or otherwise absolves student loan debt.
(b) Any federal official or agency attempting to implement student loan forgiveness shall be subject to prosecution under federal law, with penalties including fines up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to five years.
(c) This provision applies retroactively to any attempts at student loan forgiveness that have not been fully enacted prior to this bill’s passage.

SECTION 7: Implementation Timeline
(a) This bill shall take effect immediately upon passage.
(b) 12-month phase-out period will allow for the orderly termination of existing programs.

Revised Feb 22, 2025

[RayXP]

Revised.