Mitch Landrieu: “I rise today to raise some concerns about H.R. 3672, the TANF Emergency Response and Recovery Act of 2005 passed…”

“I rise today to raise some concerns about H.R. 3672, the TANF Emergency Response and Recovery Act of 2005 passed recently by the House of Representatives. I regret that the House Ways and Means Committee did not have the benefit of the insights of those in Louisiana responsible for administrating this critical Federal program. Because if they did, I think that the bill might have been drafted very differently. I very much appreciate the leadership allowing me this opportunity to state these concerns for the record and am hoping that we can work together in the days and weeks ahead from this point on to be certain that these concerns are addressed. Hurricane Katrina has left the Southeastern part of Louisiana in a state of emergency which, by all accounts will have significant and wide spread impact on our State and local economy. As a result, larger than expected numbers of individuals will be left without employment and in need of the services and support provided by the TANF program. It is precisely to address these circumstances, although I am not sure Members anticipated a disaster of this magnitude that compelled Congress to create a contingency fund in the 1996 Act. The purpose of the contingency fund was for States to be able to access additional funds in a time of need.…”