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The U.S. needs a new safety net | Angela Rachidi

Written by Defending Ideas

June 23, 2026

Congress is considering a major anti-poverty reform: giving states more flexibility to redesign welfare and social safety net programs.

In this episode of Defending Ideas, AEI Senior Fellow Angela Rachidi joins host Nic Dunn to discuss benefit cliffs, the Upward Mobility Act, and whether state-led innovation could help more families achieve self-reliance through things like empowerment accounts.

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.

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