DeLauro Statement on Election-Year, Partisan Welfare Resolution

House of Representatives Voting On Political StuntInstead of Creating Jobs

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) spokebefore the House of Representatives today, denouncing a partisan resolutionbrought forth by the Republican Majority. The Republican resolution wouldoverturn the Obama Administration's proposal to provide states with flexibilityto get more Americans working. House Republicans have chosen to bring upthis resolution instead of the President's jobs package, middle class tax cuts,or a deal to address looming across-the-board budget cuts.

Her remarks are as prepared for delivery:

"I rise in opposition to this political resolution that aimsto wrongly characterize the administration's position on Temporary Assistanceto Needy Families. This is a waste of our time.

"The purpose of the Administration's waiver proposal is toallow states to test alternative and innovative strategies that are designed toimprove employment outcomes for needy families. As the Department of Health andHuman Services has said repeatedly, waivers will only be approved if a statecan prove that there is an effective transition from welfare to work – thatthey are putting more people to work.

"Is the Majority now against putting people to work? Or are they against states' rights? If so, they may want to tell theirPresidential candidate. In 2005, Mitt Romney and 28 other Republicangovernors wrote a letter requesting more "flexibility to manage their TANFprograms" and "increased waiver authority." This is exactly what theadministration's waiver proposal does.

"For two years now, instead of working with us to createjobs and get the economy moving again, this Majority has continually putforward politically motivated resolutions. The American people expect betterleadership from us. I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution."