[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]




             OPPOSING GOP WORKFARE IN TANF REAUTHORIZATION

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                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 2002

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, Education and training which lead to good-
paying jobs makes welfare to work work.
  Unfortunately, or fortunately, I have personal experience with this 
issue. I know that real training and education is the best way to lift 
public assistance recipients and families out of poverty, so they can 
succeed at whatever career they choose--even in the United States 
Congress.
  However, instead of helping TANF recipients have access to these 
vital job preparation and education programs, a minimum wage, and a 
guarantee of civil rights, the GOP welfare reform plan makes it 
significantly more difficult for families to transition off of welfare. 
Denying parents on welfare access to those educational and technical 
skills to make them self-sufficient is counterproductive.
  Instead of making it easier for parents to prepare themselves for 
better jobs, the Republican welfare reauthorization plan eliminates the 
current law's ability to count up to a year of full-time education or 
training. This goes completely in the wrong direction.
  Support real jobs, not workfare!

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