Provisions from two bills introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop (R-MI) made it into recently approved legislation that would reauthorize the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, the nation’s cash welfare and services program for low-income families.
The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, the chief tax-writing committee for the House of Representatives, on May 24 approved the Jobs and Opportunity with Benefits and Services (JOBS) for Success Act, H.R. 5861.
The sweeping reform bill, among many provisions, would rename the TANF program to the Jobs and Opportunity with Benefits and Services (JOBS) Program and extend it for five years; would help Americans enter and remain in the workforce; would measure work outcomes and improper payments; improve accountability; ensure “welfare for needs not weed;” and would limit use of funds for “truly needy families,” according to a draft of the bill provided by the House Ways and Means Committee.
Many of the committee’s members were key in drafting H.R. 5861, including U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), who introduced the bill on May 17. The measure has 18 cosponsors, including committee member Rep. Bishop, who was joined by fellow committee members U.S. Reps. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Tom Reed (R-NY), Jim Renacci (R-OH), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Tom Rice (R-SC), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and Mike Kelly (R-PA), who were all original cosponsors.
H.R. 5861 also includes several items from numerous bills, such as Rep. Bishop’s legislation, Supporting Work through Apprenticeships Act, H.R. 5836, which he introduced on May 16 with U.S. Reps. Renacci and Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) among the cosponsors.
“With more than six million open jobs, it is critical we support our workforce and get folks back on track to support their families with good-paying jobs,” said Rep. Bishop. “A big part of that is ensuring our workers have the right skills to fill open positions, and apprenticeship programs are a great opportunity to ‘learn while you earn.’”
The congressman noted that the JOBS for Success Act “adds apprenticeships to the list of approved work activities.”
Likewise, the committee-approved H.R. 5861 includes language from Rep. Bishop’s Improving Access to Child Care Act, H.R. 5835, which he also introduced on May 16 with cosponsor Rep. Jenkins.
“Another stumbling block for families trying to re-enter and remain in the workforce is access to stable child care. That is why I worked with my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee to make sure this bill supports hard-working parents by prioritizing funding for the Child Care Entitlement to states,” Rep. Bishop said.
The lawmaker added that no new taxpayer dollars are needed for H.R. 5861. “The legislation reforms current law and repurposes funding for child care to help families move up the economic ladder and achieve the American dream,” he said.