Cape News

Congress is being urged to address issues within the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant that have led to misuse of funds and missed opportunities to lift Americans out of poverty. Witnesses at a Ways and Means Committee hearing highlighted the lack of accountability in TANF's non-assistance portion, which makes up 77 percent of TANF spending.

Brett Favre emphasized the need for better oversight: "Our laws don’t sufficiently protect against TANF spending unrelated to helping people out of poverty."

Republicans on the committee have proposed legislation aimed at financial safeguards and directing more funds towards work, education, and training activities. Matt Underhile, a corrections officer from Missouri, shared his positive experience with a TANF-funded work training program, calling it "life-changing."

Chairman Jason Smith asked Underhile about the impact of similar programs nationwide. Underhile responded: "It would be absolutely life changing... If you don’t teach them anything, they’re not growing."

Favre also discussed Mississippi’s misuse of welfare funds due to weak rules that allowed embezzlement by state officials. He called for mechanisms for oversight and clearer guidelines on permissible uses of TANF funds.

"States have too much flexibility on how they spend this money, which leads to waste and abuse," Favre said.

Rep. David Schweikert noted that work is central to reducing poverty. Welfare expert Sam Adolphson agreed: "Work is central to the well-being... and ultimately, the health of the individual."

The committee has been investigating TANF issues since gaining a Republican majority. Rep. Darin LaHood detailed their timeline, leading to new legislative proposals based on their findings.

Rep. Ron Estes discussed eliminating potential abuse while maintaining state flexibility with Adolphson, who suggested measuring performance outcomes as a critical step.

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released during the hearing showed widespread misuse of federal welfare funds. Rep. Carol Miller pointed out persistent audit findings that remain unaddressed.

"In my home state of West Virginia, they’ve had the same internal control deficiency finding reported for 15 years," Miller said.

Favre confirmed that similar scandals could occur nationwide without reform: "If it can happen in my state, it can happen in any state."

Underhile reminded the committee that welfare should be temporary: "Welfare wasn’t ever meant to be a career choice."