US House Take Decisive Action to Fight Poverty

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By USDR

Today, the House passed the Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act (H.R. 2842) – introduced by Ways and Means Committee Members Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Danny Davis (D-IL) – to help low-income Americans transition from welfare to work. It encourages employer-led partnerships with state and local agencies to hire Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and provide on-the-job experience, including apprenticeships.

Rep. Curbelo described how his legislation will help TANF recipients succeed in the workforce:

“Here, in the House, we have prioritized helping Americans escape poverty, and we are working to create policies that are focused on getting individuals into jobs so they can achieve self-sufficiency.

“A job is something that dignifies the human condition. It is an opportunity for every individual to make a contribution to their families, their local communities, and to our country. This bill is an innovative solution that will give more people access to that opportunity. Through proposals like H.R. 2842, we can help struggling Americans find work and get on a path to success.”

Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith (R-NE) explained how this legislation will help TANF recipients gain needed work experience:

“Some TANF recipients have a difficult time transitioning from welfare into a job, so these types of on-the-job work experiences aid in the transition. The same goes for employers, who may be reluctant to hire welfare recipients with limited work experience or other barriers to working.”

As Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) said during a Committee markup of the bill:

“How do we connect out-of-work Americans with all of the employers who want and need to fill these job openings? As the Human Resources Subcommittee has heard time and time again, one of the most effective answers to this problem is employer-driven, on-the-job training for workers. And that’s exactly what is provided by the Accelerating Individuals into the Workforce Act.”