On the recordJune 23, 2017
I thank Ranking Member Danny Davis. I rise to express support for H.R. 2842, Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act. I do, again, want to thank my dear friend, Representative Davis, for recognizing the importance of subsidizing jobs as something that was featured in my RISE Out of Poverty bill, and I applaud this bipartisan bill as a small step in the right direction. Now, this bill calls for a demonstration project, which would show progress toward reducing poverty in our country through a 1-year test of subsidized employment programs. But I would note, Mr. Chairman, that it certainly does not tackle the larger shortcomings of TANF, which is in desperate need of reform. If enacted, this bill would exhibit a great start at helping TANF recipients obtain short-term employment. However, methods to retain long-term employment through higher education and childcare options for TANF recipients are still needed. I do want to point out, Mr. Chairman, that contrary to popular notions of welfare recipients--I have been a welfare recipient myself-- people on public assistance do, in fact, want to work, but they want to work at a wage that is sustainable. They want to work at a job that includes training opportunities. They want to work at jobs that provide them with a career ladder, and they, certainly, want to work at a job that will bring them out of poverty--something that will help them work in a durable, lasting fashion.…
