Government Relations Update

House Passes Welfare Bill, Again

February 12, 2003

As expected, late this afternoon the House passed the Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2003 (H.R. 4) by a vote of 230 - 192.  Thanks to all who made calls or sent faxes or emails urging your Representative(s) to vote "NO."  We were under no illusions that we could stop the bill from passing, but we did want as much opposition as possible.  The strong vote in opposition will ultimately help during negotiations with the Senate. 

Only 11 Democrats voted "YES" (3 fewer than last year).  Two Republicans voted "NO" (2 fewer than last year).  Thirteen Members did not vote (4 more than last year).  They are listed below. 

If your Representative voted "NO," please call his/her office with a quick "thank you."  If your Representative voted "YES," please call with a quick "I am disappointed with your vote."  All Members can be reached through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121.  Individual phone numbers can be access through CongressWeb at http://www.socialworkers.org/advocacy/grassroots/congressweb.asp. 

PLEASE NOTE: Calls should ONLY be made by people who LIVE in their districts!    

Two Democratic substitutes to H.R. 4 were offered and both were defeated, again as expected.  The first, the Patsy Mink Memorial TANF Reauthorization Act, was offered by Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and social worker, Barbara Lee (D-CA), among others.  The amendment embodied the bill sponsored during the last Congress by Rep. Mink (D-HI), who died last year.  The vote was 124 - 300.  The second Democratic substitute, the Next Step in Reforming Welfare Act, sponsored again this year by Rep. Ben Cardin (D-MD), was defeated by a vote of 197 - 225.    

THE SENATE

Our advocacy now shifts to the Senate.  The timing on Senate action – as always – is uncertain.  The first formal step is a field hearing next week in Des Moines, Iowa (home to Senator Chuck Grassley, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over TANF).  Another hearing is likely to be held in Washington, DC in March. 

Our task is to get the Senate to pass a more moderate bill and to hold its ground during negotiations with the House on a final bill.  Look for an ACTION ALERT targeting the Senate in the near future. 

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE OF H.R. 4

Democrats Who Voted "YES"

Allen Boyd - Florida
Bud Cramer - Alabama
Chet Edwards - Texas
Ralph Hall - Texas
Tim Holden – Pennsylvania
William Lipinski - Illinois
Ken Lucas - Kentucky
Jim Marshall - Georgia
Earl Pomeroy - North Dakota
Gene Taylor - Mississippi
David Wu - Oregon

Republicans Who Voted "NO"

John Hostettler - Indiana
Ron Paul - Texas

Representatives Who Did NOT Vote

Thomas Allen (D-Maine)
Michael Capuano (D-Massachusetts)
Mac Collins (R-Georgia)
Larry Combest (R-Texas)
Barbara Cubin (R-Wyoming)
Terry Everett (R-Alabama)
Mike Ferguson (R-New Jersey)
William Pascrell (D-New Jersey)
Donald Payne (D-New Jersey)
Loretta Sanchez (D-California)
Patrick Tiberi (R-Ohio)
Curt Weldon (R-Pennsylvania)
Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina)

AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR YOUR ADVOCACY!