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News Release

STATEMENT BY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Secretary of Health and Human Services
On House Passage Of TANF Reauthorization Bill

I commend the House for again voting to reauthorize and strengthen the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF). For the second time in 10 months, the House demonstrated its compassion and commitment to the millions of Americans who are beginning and continuing to climb the career ladder thanks to welfare reform.

Welfare reform is working in America because we're helping people go to work and build better lives for themselves and their families. We must take this golden opportunity to move beyond the status quo of the existing program and help millions of Americans gain the necessary work experience and develop the skills to further their careers. We want to improve upon this highly successful program so we can help families complete the transition from the dependence upon a welfare check to the independence of a paycheck.

President Bush's proposal to reauthorize TANF takes the next step in welfare reform by strengthening work requirements, providing the assistance families need to advance in their careers and granting states more flexibility to run successful programs.

The House is showing leadership in helping Americans climb out of poverty. We look forward to working with the Senate as we take the next bold step in welfare reform.

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

Last Revised: February 13, 2003