UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN GARY MILLER Proudly Serving California's 31st District

Washington, Sep 21, 2012 - Click here for entire Capitol Connection Newsletter  This week, the House voted to block the Obama Administration’s dismantling of welfare reform. In 1996, an overhaul of our nation’s welfare system was enacted into law that ensured those truly in need received assistance, while reducing long-term dependency on government aid by encouraging self-sufficiency. The reforms were tremendously successful, reducing welfare caseloads by half and reducing child poverty rates within just a few years of implementation. However, the Obama Administration has recently taken action to undo a key aspect of welfare reform. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a memo that permits states to seek waivers from the reform law’s requirements that states verify that a certain percentage of individuals receiving assistance are working, searching for work,  enrolled in job training or vocational education programs, or engaging in other specific work activities. The law’s work requirements have been an essential element to helping those in need while breaking the cycle of dependency on government assistance. On Thursday, the House passed H.J. Res. 118, which expresses Congress’ disapproval of the regulatory effort to weaken welfare reform and prevents the Administration from issuing waivers from the law’s work requirements. Congressman Miller will work to protect the successful reforms and pursue policies that will help our economy grow and create new jobs for American workers.