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Committee on Ways and Means 

For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office 202-225-8933
September 27, 2002

WASHINGTON - Today, the House crafted a responsible, short-term solution to the quickly approaching expiration date of the 1996 welfare reform program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

“Today the House voted for a second time to reauthorize the 1996 welfare reforms. We are working to continue assistance for millions of low-income families despite the refusal of the Democrat-led Senate to extend these successful programs,” said Wally Herger (R-CA), Chairman of the Human Resources Subcommittee.

On May 16, 2002, nearly four months before TANF’s expiration date, the House acted to reauthorize and strengthen this landmark program for the next 5 years by passing H.R. 4737, the Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2002. In the four months since then, the Senate has refused to act. Now just four days remain until the program’s expiration on September 30, 2002.

“Senate Democrats continue to obstruct legislation that lifted nearly three million children out of poverty, supported millions of single mothers in their path to work and better support their families, and reduced welfare dependence by nearly 60 percent,” said Herger.

The House’s Continuing Resolution (CR) bill, H.J.Res. 111, would continue TANF, childcare and related program funding for three additional months, while the House works with the Senate to finalize a 5-year reauthorization bill.

Herger added, “Even though today’s legislation only funds other government programs through October 4, 2002, the House didn’t think it was fair to string along the States a week at a time when it comes to welfare. That’s why we continue these important welfare-to-work programs for a full three months.”

“Millions of poor families and the many States already in a fiscal crisis should not suffer more for the Senate’s abject failure to do its job. Perhaps now, the Senate will prioritize action so we can get a full 5-year reauthorization bill signed into law this year,” said Herger.