Programs 
Legislative Advocacy
Action Alert Archive
ACTION
ALERT UPDATE
Date: October 6, 2004
Subject:
TANF Extended for Six Months
For the eighth time since 2002, Congress
temporarily extended the law authorizing Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) just before it was set to expire.
This extension will run through March 31, 2005. No policy
changes were made; the extension allows funding to continue
so states can operate their TANF programs under the provisions
of existing law. Ê As the September 30 deadline for TANF approached,
there seemed to be no realistic possibility that the Senate
would resume debate on full reauthorization. A week before
the deadline, Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Evan Bayh
(D-IN) introduced legislation tying a six-month TANF extension
to two years of funding for marriage promotion and responsible
fatherhood programs. The Healthy Marriages and Responsible
Fatherhood Act of 2004 (S 2830), would end existing funding
for two bonuses to states: one giving funds for good records
in job placement, retention, and wage levels and another rewarding
success in reducing out-of-wedlock births. The $300 million
a year in federal funds for those bonuses would be diverted
to marriage and fatherhood programs. Ê The Santorum-Bayh legislation
was stuck after many Senators refused to give unanimous consent
for it to be taken up on the floor. Many advocates did not
want to take up these two policy provisions without considering
any of the other changes being sought for TANF, including
more child care funds, child support improvements, and more
help for immigrants. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) made a counter-offer
to add child care funding, which was rejected. Senators Santorum
and Reid then sparred about the possibility of resuming consideration
of the full TANF reauthorization, including votes to increase
the minimum wage. The abbreviated debate ended, with no action
taken on the Santorum-Bayh bill. Ê On September 30, the House
approved HR 5149, a six-month extension bill with no policy
changes. The Senate followed suit with a voice vote later
that day. Ê Advocates were pleased the harsher work requirements
in the House TANF legislation (HR 4) have not moved to final
passage, but remain disappointed that child care and other
supports remain unavailable to so many families. With TANF
having lurched from one short-term extension to another for
more than two years, advocates hope Congress will conclude
Òeight is enoughÓ and will focus on TANF well before the end
of March.
|