John Tierney: “I rise in strong unity with my colleagues in urging passage of the welfare reauthorization bill some time this year. We…”

“I rise in strong unity with my colleagues in urging passage of the welfare reauthorization bill some time this year. We do have a responsibility to provide meaningful job training, job training that will work with our community colleges, our vocational schools; work that fits into training programs that are not eligible under the House bill. We need to get families back to work. We need to provide quality child care that will allow our children to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. The House bill fails to do that. In Minnesota right now, I have waiting lists. I have waiting lists with thousands of children. The House welfare reform bill will increase, increase in Minnesota the number of children on the waiting list. I have heard from my county, I have heard from the State of Minnesota, I have heard from welfare reform recipients. Child care is critical, child care is needed, and child care is lacking in the House bill.”