Event Summary
Work is the foundation of a flourishing life, yet too many low-income families who rely on government assistance face an impossible choice: Work more hours or accept higher wages and risk losing a substantial share of government benefits, or decline those opportunities and remain stuck without a clear path to upward mobility.
At this event, Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) will deliver remarks on his Upward Mobility Act, cosponsored with Representative Blake Moore (R-UT). The legislation proposes funding for state demonstration projects aimed at reducing benefit cliffs in safety-net programs and supporting pathways to economic advancement. Following the senator’s remarks, a panel of experts will explore actionable steps that federal and state governments can take to address benefit cliffs and better support upward mobility.
Related Content
The Upward Mobility Act Seeks to Overcome Benefit Cliffs
Matt Weidinger and Angela Rachidi | AEIdeas | January 8, 2026
Stranded by the Safety Net: How to Fix the Benefit Cliff Problem
Angela Rachidi et al. | American Enterprise Institute | December 2, 2025
What to Do About Benefit Cliffs?
Angela Rachidi and Matt Weidinger | COSM Commentary | December 2, 2025
Agenda
12:45 p.m.
Registration Opens
1:00 p.m.
Welcome Remarks:
Angela Rachidi, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
1:05 p.m.
Remarks:
Jon Husted, US Senate (Ohio)
1:20 p.m.
Q&A
1:40 p.m.
Break
1:50 p.m.
Panel: How State Flexibility Can Help Address Benefit Cliffs
Panelists:
Joshua Bandoch, Head of Policy, Illinois Policy Institute
Nic Dunn, Vice President of Strategy, Sutherland Institute
Aly Rau Brodsky, Vice President, Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity
Moderator:
Leslie Ford, Senior Fellow, Alliance for Opportunity
2:10 p.m.
Q&A
2:30 p.m.
Adjournment
