Tom Harkin: “Over the past several years I have met with a number of welfare recipients, caseworkers and others to discuss the issue…”

“Over the past several years I have met with a number of welfare recipients, caseworkers and others to discuss the issue of welfare reform in the State of Iowa. The discussions have also included a number of individuals who have successfully made the transition from welfare to self-sufficient employment. In many cases, the key to this successful transition was participation in post-secondary classroom training. I understand that the pending legislation prohibits use of the Welfare-To-Work Programs funds for this purpose but want to clarify that States may continue to use Federal funds received under the temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program or their own resources for post-secondary classroom training.”