February 13, 2003 Update/Action Alert --

U.S. House Approves H.R. 4, Defeating Democratic Alternative Proposal for Reauthorization of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

As expected, the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 13 passed H.R. 4, the Ways and Means Committee’s version of the Bush Administration’s TANF reauthorization proposal. The measure passed by a vote of 230-192. Eleven Democrats joined 219 Republicans in support of the bill, while two Republicans voted with 190 Democrats in opposition.

The Democratic alternative proposal, introduced by Rep. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, the senior minority member of the Ways and Means Committee, was defeated earlier on a vote of 225-197. In that case, three Democrats voted with the Republicans in opposition while no Republicans voted with the Democrats in support of the measure. Cardin then offered another proposal that would have approved the Republican measure after amending it to add $11 billion for childcare. This effort failed by 221-197, with one Democrat voting against the additional child care funding.

The debate was conducted before a nearly-empty House chamber, with Members coming in only in time to cast their votes. Curiously, House Republicans offered as a primary argument why Members should support their bill the fact that it would increase child care funding by $2 billion over five years, even though the Democratic proposal offered a far larger increase.

Attention now turns to the Senate, where there appears to be no rush to take action in the Senate Finance Committee.

ACTION NEEDED

Analysis of the TANF issue is needed in the press, in order to build awareness of the issues prior to Senate action. Letters to the editors of local papers, op-ed pieces, and stories about the growing need in communities are all needed. Please try to attract some media attention to these issues.

If your Representative supported HR 4, a letter or article commenting on what was wrong about that vote would be helpful. If your Representative supported the Cardin alternative, commendation for that action would be constructive both for the reading audience and to affirm your Member.

Also, if your Member supported the Cardin amendment, a thank you letter to his/her District office would be a good idea. They tend to remember the people who value their work. You can find contact information for District offices at http:/www.house.gov

Information on HR 4 and the Democratic alternative is available on this Web site: Click here for the NCC Issues and Actions Guide for Advocates.