Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I am here today to discuss an issue that is very important to Montanans, folks across the Nation, and many of my colleagues here in the Senate, and that is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, commonly known as TANF. That is our Nation's cash-assistance and services program for low-income households with children. I am joined today by my esteemed colleague and my friend, the Senator from Iowa, Mr. Grassley. I have the privilege of serving on the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Senator Grassley, which has jurisdiction over TANF. Chairman Grassley, like me, knows how important it is to ensure that this program is working as intended and that it is helping families move into jobs and toward self-sufficiency. Of course, it was Chairman Grassley who helped bring about the last significant reform to TANF in 2006. I am glad he is leading the committee as we try to pass meaningful reforms again this year. We are here today because we cannot ignore that Congress is about to do a straight continuation of funding of TANF for the 39th consecutive time despite the fact that this program needs reform. TANF, created with bipartisan support in 1996, was a huge success for the American people. Let me say that again--with bipartisan support. After TANF became law, welfare caseloads plummeted, child poverty declined, and employment among low-income parents actually went up.…”