Assessing Paul Ryan’s Legacy in the House

FEATURING NEGIN OWLIAEI – Outgoing Republican Congressman Paul Ryan gave his last speech as House Speaker on Wednesday. Ryan expressed regret in failing to gut Social Security and Medicare – programs he refers to as “entitlements.” He said, “I acknowledge plainly that my ambitions for entitlement reform have outpaced the political reality, and I consider this our greatest unfinished business.”

Meanwhile the Trump administration on Thursday announced restrictions on food stamps via a rule change, after Congress passed a Farm Bill days ago that did not include cuts. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to about 12% of the US population, or 40 million Americans.

Negin Owliaei, researcher and editor at Inequality.org. She previously worked as a journalist and digital producer at Al Jazeera Media Network.