[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.

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