[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 22, 2019)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E71] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] THE TANF EXTENSION ACT OF 2019 ______ HON. BARBARA LEE of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 22, 2019 Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 430, the TANF Extension Act of 2019. This bill would provide a much-needed short-term TANF extension through June 30, 2019. TANF, unfortunately, expired in December and many states, including my home state of California, are unable to pick up the lack of federal funding for this program. So, this bill is not only necessary, it's incredibly timely. Madam Speaker, more than 3.4 million struggling working moms and dads are on TANF, providing critical income, childcare, and employment support. But, sadly TANF does not reach enough families, especially families of color. For every 100 families living in poverty, only 23 receive direct financial assistance from TANF--down from 68 families in 1996. Let me be clear--funding for the TANF program has not kept pace with the growing need in our country. As a result, 4 out of 5 children living in poverty are not being reached. And for those families with 50 percent below the poverty line their situation is even worse. In 2015, TANF only lifted 349,000 children out of deep poverty. Because of this, many families are forced to choose between paying their rent, putting food on the table, or paying their medical bills. This is outrageous. This program literally does not fulfill its mission--which is to reduce child poverty. Madam Speaker, I was in the California legislature on the conference committee that negotiated California's TANF program--and let me tell you--I voted against my own conference committee's report because as a former welfare recipient myself, I didn't want to see more welfare recipients being penalized with onerous work requirements with no real incentive or job supports to actually help women--and men--obtain good- paying jobs. And while I am pleased to support this vital short-term TANF extension, I hope that we can get to work with changing TANF to ensure that it is reaching more poor families and helping them meet their basic needs. With that, I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this bill and let's ensure that we strengthen and improve TANF moving forward. ____________________