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House and Senate Republicans Unveil Legislation Prohibiting Obama Administration From Unilaterally Weakening Welfare Work Requirements

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 

WASHINGTON – Today, House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Michigan), Education & Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-Minnesota), Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) introduced legislation, the Preserving Work Requirements for Welfare Programs Act, that would prohibit the Obama Administration from unilaterally granting itself the authority to exempt states from the work requirements that were a critical element of welfare reform enacted in 1996 – potentially opening the door for activities like bed rest, smoking cessation and exercise to be counted as work for the purposes of complying with federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) requirements.
 
“The Obama Administration has once again overstepped its bounds, this time to the detriment of those struggling most under their failed economic policies.  The Administration’s unprecedented efforts to undo welfare reforms that resulted in higher earnings and employment for low-income Americans cannot be allowed to stand,” said Camp.  “This legislation, which I expect the House to consider in the coming days, simply reaffirms what the law already says – that the work requirements at the heart of welfare reform may not be waived.  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting and passing this important bill and bringing a swift resolution to this matter.”  

“Under the guise of state flexibility, the president is eviscerating bipartisan reforms that have helped millions of Americans escape poverty.  Republicans will not stand by as the president once again chooses politics over reform," said Kline.  "The Preserving Work Requirements for Welfare Programs Act will protect the responsible work requirements established in the welfare reform law of 1996 while also prohibiting future administration efforts to waive or otherwise alter these successful requirements.” 

“The Obama administration’s action last week was illegitimate and totally misguided," said Jordan.  "Work requirements are tough love, and for sixteen years they have helped people to help themselves.  The 1996 reform model should be expanded to other areas of welfare, not cut off at the knees.”

http://waysandmeans.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=303608