Diane Watson: “do Members hear the children crying? We will surely hear them cry if we vote to support the administration's proposal to…”

“do Members hear the children crying? We will surely hear them cry if we vote to support the administration's proposal to reauthorize TANF. The primary goal of most Democratic Members of Congress has been to reduce poverty and to ensure the well-being of children in the welfare system. The proposals in H.R. 4700 would adversely affect hundreds of thousands of welfare recipients. The administration's welfare reform proposals are restrictive, and will severely limit the State of California's ability to respond effectively and efficiently to the needs of its welfare recipients. The long-term fiscal impacts of this legislation will cost California $2.8 billion over a 5-year period because these proposals do not include increases in the TANF block grants. California's options for funding the projected costs will be limited to using State resources. This will essentially mean deep reductions in the TANF programs, and this is not right. Quite simply put, H.R. 4700 will turn back the clock on welfare reform. Please vote no.”