Welfare Reform

Statement

The House also considered H.J. Res. 118, a resolution expressing disapproval of a rule relating to changes in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The Obama Administration has proposed giving states more flexibility with the TANF program as a way to get more people off welfare and back to work. The rule is very clear that any proposals from the states to obtain a waiver must show strategies for increasing employment. This issue has come up in the Presidential campaign, and President Obama has been accused of weakening welfare reform by giving states waivers. This claim is false, as many political fact checkers have noted. President Clinton has accurately pointed out that the waivers require more people receiving welfare to obtain employment. This vote is politically motivated and does absolutely nothing to increase employment requirements for welfare recipients. I voted NO.

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