Press Releases

Congressman Larry Bucshon (IN-08) voted in support of H.J. Res 118, disapproving of the Administration’s waiver of welfare work requirements.  Congressman Bucshon cosponsored the legislation.

Congressman Bucshon (IN-08) states:

“Providing waivers to the welfare work requirement, a key component to the successful welfare reform of 1996, erases 16 years of progress in helping get citizens out of poverty.  This is on top of the fact that this Administration has no legal basis in waiving work requirements.  By disapproving the waiver, we prevent this Administration from removing a very successful program that moves people from welfare to work.  The best way to help people out of poverty is through temporary assistance with focus on finding meaningful work.”

Background:

The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) released 2 reports related to the unprecedented waivers for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grants that were central to the 1996 Welfare Reform.

The first report, released September 4, 2012, found the Department of Health and Human Services rule waiving welfare work requirement, issued July 12, 2012, falls under the Congressional Review Act and must be submitted to both chambers of Congress before it can take effect.  The full report can be read here.

The second report, released September 19, 2012, found that the Department of Health and Human Services had previously stated it does not have the authority to waive welfare work requirements.  The full report can be read here.

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