Political Quotes

“A number of State programs leverage Federal Work-Study funds to help TANF recipients who are enrolled in community college programs meet work requirements and get real-world experience in jobs that reinforce what they are studying. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office has recommended improving coordination between employment and training programs, and the Department of Health and Human Services guidelines on helping TANF recipients succeed in career pathways makes recommendations for using the Federal Work-Study program in conjunction with TANF to boost the attainment of industry-recognized credentials. There is precedent and widespread support for improving the coordination of programs that help low-income individuals gain work experience to subsidize employment. Again, our amendment does not require States to devote funds from TANF-subsidized employment programs to low-income student parents, but it does ask States to consider how they are using subsidized employment--whether through TANF or Federal Work-Study--in concert to give more people the opportunity to earn a higher education degree or credential and, thereby, a significantly improved chance at finding a long-term, living-wage job. Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.”