WASHINGTON, D.C.(WNAX)- South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson defended his bill to enforce work requirements for able-bodied adults without young dependents that receive SNAP benefits. His remarks were made during the House Agriculture Committee hearing with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack.

Members on the Democratic side of the Committee were vocal in their opposition to Johnson’s America Works Act, calling it “extreme.” Johnson said he wants to support SNAP benefits.

Johnson says those that need the benefits will keep them.

Johnson says work programs have had good results.

According to the Department of Social Services, the average monthly SNAP benefit in South Dakota is about one hundred seventy dollars.