LaHood Introduces Bills to Bolster TANF
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[July 22, 2021]
Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) introduced two bills, the Improving
Access to Work Act and the Supporting Work Through Apprenticeships Act,
which aim to strengthen provisions under the Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families (TANF) program. These much-needed reforms to TANF will
hold states accountable for their spending and ensure that the federal
dollars are going towards the neediest families to provide them with the
resources and necessary tools to get back into the workforce.
LaHood's bills were included in the Ways and Means Republicans' “Jobs
and Opportunity with Benefits and Services for Success Act” or “JOBS for
Success Act.” Senate Companion legislation was introduced by Senator
Steve Daines (R-MT).
"The primary goal of the TANF program is to assist families in need with
a hand-up, providing safety net of government assistance to help find
work and pull themselves out of poverty," said Rep. LaHood. "Finding and
keeping a job is the best way for families to move toward
self-sufficiency, and I am proud to reintroduce legislation to help
Americans get back to work as we recover from COVID-19."
Yesterday, on the 25th anniversary of bipartisan welfare reform in 1996
that created TANF, Ways and Means Republicans hosted a roundtable
meeting with key former and current Republican leaders and experts on
anti-poverty welfare reforms.
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They discussed TANF improvements that promote personal responsibility,
time limits on eligibility, and work requirements.
You can view that here.
Improving Access to Work Act
This legislation will require states to spend 25% of their
Maintenance-of-Effort (MOE) funds and 25% of their federal block grant
on work or work support activities
In 2019, states used only 10% of their TANF funds for work activities
and another 3% on work support activities
Additionally, this legislation prohibits states from supplanting TANF
federal funds to fill state budget holes.
Supporting Work Through Apprenticeships Act
This legislation adds apprenticeships to the list of approved work
activities
Current work activities include on-the-job training, job readiness
assistance, vocational educational training, and community service
Learn more about Ways and Means Republicans efforts to improve and
reform welfare
here.
[Congressman Darin LaHood] |