U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support, this week outlined Republicans’ plan to uplift struggling families from poverty to prosperity through pro-work, pro-growth reforms.
In the Washington Examiner, Congresswoman Walorski addressed the underlying barriers to work and highlighted the importance of helping individuals find and keep family-sustaining jobs.
Washington Examiner
The dignity of work uplifts families
Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.)
July 27, 2021
Our nation has been built and forged by generations of hardworking people. Since our country’s founding, the dignity of work has been vital to our culture and to the American dream itself.
Time and time again, meaningful jobs and work have been the key to ending the cycle of poverty and lifting struggling families into success. As we mark the 25th anniversary of welfare reform this summer, we must reaffirm our commitment to supporting our neighbors in need, strengthening the workforce, and growing our economy.
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In 1996, Congress passed landmark bipartisan welfare reform, which included the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. These block grants were designed to empower states to end open-ended entitlement and provide a temporary safety net for those in need. Since then, some states have manipulated the program and outright ignored its work requirements. A quarter of a century later, we have the opportunity to return that program to its intended purpose — addressing the underlying barriers to work and equipping families to succeed.
We can’t keep throwing money at the problem. No number of endless government payments can address the challenges that could be holding a family back from success, which could include addiction, abuse, or unaddressed mental health issues. While Democrats want to keep paying people to stay home, Republicans are putting forth pro-work, pro-growth solutions that help individuals find and keep family-sustaining jobs.
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Incentivizing work and eliminating barriers is proven to uplift families from poverty to prosperity. By reforming welfare for the first time in the 21st century, we can take commonsense action today to secure tomorrow’s success. Restoring the dignity of work will not only strengthen our national fabric but also will unlock the American dream for families now and for generations to come.
Read Congresswoman Walorski’s full op-ed HERE.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Ranking Member of the House Ethics Committee. She is the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support.
