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Committee on Ways and Means For Immediate Release Chairman Herger Urges Senate To Act to Extend and Strengthen 1996 Welfare Reforms WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA), Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources, sent three letters to the Senate urging swift action on welfare reform legislation. Chairman Herger urged Senate Majority Leader Daschle, and Chairmen Baucus and Kennedy to act on legislation reauthorizing and strengthening the landmark 1996 welfare reform law. On May 16, 2002, the House approved H.R. 4737, the “Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2002.” This legislation reauthorizes the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for 5 years. This legislation builds upon the dramatic success of the 1996 welfare reform law, which lifted nearly 3 million children from poverty and led to significant increases in employment and earnings by current and former welfare recipients. Under current law, TANF’s authorization is set to expire on September 30. 2002. In his letter, Chairman Herger urged these Senators, “to act on welfare reform legislation as soon as possible, so that conference deliberations can begin and a final agreement can be approved and presented to the President for signature before the program expires.” Letter to Hon. Edward M. Kennedy |