On Wednesday, September 24, the House passed legislation (HR 3146) to extend the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for six months through March 31, 2004. The law is currently set to expire September 30, 2003. The Senate is expected to pass an extension in the coming days. This extension will be the fifth time that Congress has extended TANF within the past year.
In February, the House passed its reauthorizing legislation, which would impose harsh new work requirements and provides only $200 million next year for new child care funds. Earlier this month the Senate Finance Committee marked up a bill that makes improvements over the House’s bill. The Coalition will continue to fight for a significant increase child care funding, fair work requirements, and adequate support to recipients with barriers to employment.

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