[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 49 (Friday, April 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TANF REAUTHORIZATION

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                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 2002

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I believe we all have one goal in mind when 
it comes to reauthorizing welfare, and that is to improve the system so 
that more people can make the transition from welfare to work. We all 
want welfare recipients to move from assistance to jobs and self-
sufficiency.
  But the fact is that we need to take the necessary steps to ensure 
that people can stay in the workforce. I am disappointed that the Ways 
and Means and Education and the Workforce Subcommittees have chosen to 
ignore the roles that poverty reduction and child care can have in 
helping people move from welfare to work.
  In Connecticut, we have the ``Jobs First'' program that imposes a 
21--month limit on welfare benefits, but allows recipients to retain 
their benefits if they find employment. It is among the most effective 
state programs in the country.
  But a recently released study also warns strongly that the gains we 
have made in Connecticut are at risk unless we do more to alleviate the 
tremendous financial stress young mothers are burdened with when they 
move from welfare to work while raising young children. It found that 
families were cutting back on the size of meals and had problems paying 
the rent.
  That is why we must approach welfare as a two-generation program that 
makes a substantial investment in quality child-care. That is why we 
must also make vocational education count as credit toward work 
activity--not eliminate it as the Republicans have proposed so far. 
That is how we can help families move up the economic ladder.
  Mr. Speaker, these people are trying. Let's let them succeed.

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