2002.05.16:Statement by HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson Regarding House Passage of TANF Reauthorization Bill

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 16, 2002

Contact:

HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

STATEMENT BY
HHS SECRETARY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Regarding House Passage of TANF Reauthorization Bill

The House should be commended for its bold and courageous vote to take the next step of welfare reform. The House cared enough about low-income American families to pass legislation helping them not just get a job but grow in a job, so they become stable and self-sufficient in the workforce.

Welfare reform is a remarkable success, but its promise won't be fully met until we take the next step. This means helping individuals gain the work experience and the skill development to climb the job ladder out of poverty. And we must give them the skills to survive in the workforce without falling back onto public assistance. In the end, we must help them make the full transition from the dependence of a welfare check to the independence of a paycheck. The President's plan paves the way for a successful transition.

The House provided new help and new hope for Americans working to climb out of poverty. We hope the Senate will now take the same bold step.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.

STATEMENT BY HHS SECRETARY TOMMY G. THOMPSON Regarding House Passage of TANF Reauthorization Bill

STATEMENT BY
HHS SECRETARY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Regarding House Passage of TANF Reauthorization Bill