Washington, Jan 28, 2003 - With unemployment on the rise and most states facing a historic budget crisis, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) and 10 Members of Congress sent a letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert and the Chairmen of the Education and Workforce and Ways and Means Committees urging them to hold full hearings on legislation to reauthorize the Temporary Access to Needy Families Act (TANF).

Recent published reports have indicated that the Republican leadership of the House intends to bring the legislation, which reauthorizes TANF for five years, directly to the House floor, bypassing Committee hearings and stifling debate.

The letter sent today states:

“In the last two years, measures of unemployment, poverty, TANF caseloads, state spending on TANF services and requests for social services have all increased…With 42 states facing budget deficits, nearly all are finding it difficult to respond to increased need for services.

“We urge you to allow the committees of jurisdiction to study this data that sheds a different light on TANF by scheduling hearings. It would irresponsible for Congress to rush to reauthorize a law for the next five years that does not address current and future economic conditions.”

Joining Kucinich and Ranking Member of the Education and the Workforce Committee Rep. George Miller on the letter, are Reps. Fortney ‘Pete’ Stark, Jim McDermott, Donald Payne, Major Owens, Hilda Solis, John Lewis, Gerald Kleczka, Lynn Woolsey and Stephanie Tubbs Jones.