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

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

June 23, 2026 · 44 min

About this episode

Angela Rachidi discusses the potential for state-led innovation in welfare reform to help families achieve self-reliance.

Congress is considering a major anti-poverty reform: giving states more flexibility to redesign welfare and social safety net programs. In this episode, 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, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

More episodes of Defending Ideas

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Defending Ideas podcast page.