February 5, 2003, Update on TANF Reauthorization in the House -- and ACTION URGENTLY NEEDED

THE ISSUE

On February 5, the leadership of the House Ways and Means Committee decided to bypass the normal legislative and democratic process by canceling the TANF mark-up it was scheduled to hold, in favor of sending its TANF reauthorization bill directly to the House floor for a vote. Thus, members of both parties who wanted to propose amendments were denied the opportunity to do so.

The bill (HR4) sent to the floor has not been published yet (watch http:/thomas.loc.gov -- you will need to insert the bill number to receive the text), although a vote is expected as early as 6 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, February 11, but probably on Wednesday, February 12).

The Committee’s website announces the introduction of the bill, indicating that it is essentially the same measure passed by the House last May (for the Committee press release, see http:/www.house.gov, click on Committee Offices and select Committee on Ways and Means). As before, the current bill would raise the work requirement to 40 hours a week (even for parents of infants), provide completely inadequate funding for child care, and reduce education and training options for TANF recipients.

It is astonishing that the Ways and Means Committee would treat such important legislation in this cavalier manner, scheduling a vote without any public exploration of the issues or opportunity for new Members of Congress to become educated about TANF. The House has been out of session for all but a few days since the November election, meaning that the advocacy community has had no opportunity to meet with the new Members to share information on TANF and related issues. Over fifty of the 435 Representatives are new to Congress and many have little or no awareness of the program, the problems surrounding it, and the changes that need to be made.

ACTION NEEDED BY NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Please call or fax your Representative’s office as soon as possible.

URGE HIM/HER TO VOTE AGAINST THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE’S TANF REAUTHORIZATION BILL (HR4) AND TO SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP ALTERNATIVE TO IT WHEN THE HOUSE VOTES ON TANF REAUTHORIZATION.

Since the Republicans control the scheduling of amendments for votes, it is not clear whether the Democrats will be allowed to offer their proposal or how much it will be debated.

The Democratic plan would:

-- maintain the current work requirement for TANF recipients of 30 hours per week for families with older children, 20 hours for mothers of pre-school children. At least 24 hours would be spent in a paid job, with the remainder available for use in education and training and other work-related activities. HR 4 and the President’s plan would increase the work requirement to 40 hours for all TANF parents. All three plans would require that 70% of the adult caseload participate in work and work-related activities (an increase from the current 50%);

-- expand state flexibility regarding education and training for recipients, increasing the current 12 month allowance for vocational education to 24 months. HR 4 and the President’s plan would eliminate vocational education as an acceptable work activity;

-- increase funding for child care by $11 billion over five years. The President offered no increase and HR 4 provides $2 billion over five years; and

-- give states more flexibility to serve legal immigrants, particularly with regard to providing TANF benefits. The President and HR 4 would retain the current ban.

Reasons for this recommendation have been included in previous alerts and are available in the TANF Reauthorization: NCC Issues and Actions Guide for Advocates. You can find your Representative’s phone and fax numbers at http:/www.house.gov or you can call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.

There is a list of the new Members of the House at the end of this notice. It is especially crucial that they hear from their constituents IMMEDIATELY. They will have had little or no input concerning TANF reauthorization, and they need to know how this legislation will affect poor people in their congressional districts.

Thank you for anything you can do to stimulate messages to their offices.

NEW MEMBERS

Alabama - Rogers - R; Bonner - R; Davis - D

Arizona - Franks - R; Grijalva - D; Renzi - R

California - Cardoza - D; Linda Sanchez - D; Nunes - R

Colorado - Beauprez - R; Musgrave - R

Florida - Harris - R; Meek - D; Mario Diaz-Balart - R; Feeney - R;

Brown-Waite - R

Georgia - Burns - R; Majette - D; Marshall - D; Gingrey - R; Scott - D

Hawaii - Case - D

Illinois - Emanuel - D

Indiana - Chocola - R

Iowa - King - R

Louisiana - Alexander - R

Maine - Michaud - D

Maryland - Val Hollen - R; Ruppersberger - D

Michigan - McCotter - R; Miller - R

Minnesota - Kline - R

Nevada - Porter - R

New Hampshire - Bradley - R

New Jersey - Garrett - R

New Mexico - Pearce - R

New York - Bishop - D

North Carolina - Ballance - D; Miller - D

Ohio - Ryan - D, Turner - R

Oklahoma - Cole - R

Pennsylvania - Gerlach - R

South Carolina - Barrett - R

South Dakota - Janklow - R

Tennessee - Blackburn - R; Cooper - D; Davis - D

Texas - Bell - D; Burgess - R; Carter - R; Hensarling - R

Utah - Bishop - R