Washington, D.C. – Today, House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Human Resources Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the “Jobs and Opportunity with Benefits and Services (JOBS) for Success Act” (H.R. 5861).

Upon release of the JOBS for Success Act, Chairman Brady said:

“Thanks to tax reform, our economy is growing in leaps and bounds—but now we need more workers. There is a jobs gap in this country, with millions of people out of work and millions of jobs that need to be filled. That’s why today we are introducing the JOBS for Success Act, which refocuses the Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) program on the tangible outcome of work. It ensures no one is left forgotten on the sidelines by redirecting existing resources to help people get and keep a job. To underscore our commitment to these reforms, we are renaming the program the ‘Jobs and Opportunity with Benefits and Services (JOBS)’ program.

“I want to thank Chairman Smith for his leadership on this bill. I look forward to moving the JOBS for Success Act through our committee.”

Chairman Smith added:

“Leading up to the introduction of the JOBS for Success Act, we explored the challenges of the jobs gap — connecting employers with Americans on the sidelines of our economy. We learned less than half the dollars provided are being spent on core work activities and support services which could be employed to bridge the jobs gap and help American families achieve economic opportunity. For our children, our families, and our economy, I look forward to swift consideration of this legislation to focus on helping more Americans enter and remain in the workforce while attaining their full potential.”

Background: The Human Resources Subcommittee has been holding hearings, including this year on “Jobs and Opportunity.” Lawmakers have discussed with program participants, local service providers, the Administration, and employers how Congress can address and close the jobs gap – the difference between employers’ increasing demand for workers in a strong economy and the relatively low percent of working-age individuals in the workforce. Original cosponsors of the JOBS for Success Act include Reps. Nunes (R-CA), Buchanan (R-FL), Jenkins (R-KS), Marchant (R-TX), Reed (R-NY), Kelly (R-PA), Renacci (R-OH), Holding (R-NC), J. Smith (R-MO), Rice (R-SC), Walorski (R-IN), Bishop (R-MI), and LaHood (R-IL).

The Ways and Means Committee knows the reauthorization of TANF is key to helping close the jobs gap. The Jobs and Opportunity with Benefits and Services (JOBS) Act:

• Extends the program for five years, as well as child care and related programs;
• Ensures no one gets ignored or is left on the sidelines, by requiring states to engage with every individual;
• Measures work outcomes to hold states accountable for the intended purpose of the program;
• Limits the use of funds to families who truly need it the most by requiring monthly income to be below 200% of the poverty level;
• Focuses on work and activities that lead to work, ultimately creating the building blocks for people’s success; and
• Renames the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to Jobs and Opportunity with Benefits and Services (JOBS), to underscore our commitment to these reforms.

CLICK HERE to read the bill.

CLICK HERE for the short summary.

CLICK HERE for the section-by-section summary.

Below are a list of bills included in this legislation:

H.R. 1352 “Preparing More Welfare Recipients for Work Act” – Rep. Renacci (R-OH)

H.R. 4167 “Coordinating Assistance for TANF Recipients Act”– Rep. Walorski (R-IN)

H.R. 5835 “Improving Access to Child Care Act”– Rep. Bishop (R-MI)

H.R. 5836 “Supporting Work through Apprenticeships Act”– Rep. Bishop (R-MI)

H.R. 5838 “Improving Access to Work Act”– Rep. LaHood (R-IL)

H.R. 5842 “Helping Americans Succeed by Measuring Outcomes Act”– Rep. Reed (R-NY)

H.R. 5843 “The Benefits to Employment Act”– Rep. J. Smith (R-MO)

H.R. 5847 “Protecting Family Resources and Training Options Act”– Rep. Curbelo (R-FL)

H.R. 5853 “Preserving Welfare for Needs Not Weed Act”– Rep. Reichert (R-WA)

H.R. 5854 “Improving Transparency in TANF through Data Act”– Rep. Schweikert (R-AZ)