Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) recently introduced legislation to ensure that former welfare recipients make progress in achieving economic independence and to provide an incentive for States to help families move towards self-sufficiency. H.R. 3667 the "Self-Sufficiency Act" was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The "Self-Sufficiency Act" will provide a tool for Congress to hold states accountable for results when it comes to welfare reform, not just the number of people they move off the welfare rolls. The Self-Sufficiency Standard will assist in keeping track of former welfare recipients who have returned to the American workforce - paying taxes, caring for their families and achieving economic independence free of public or private subsidies.

"Welfare must break the cycle of poverty to strengthen our families and improve our children’s future," said Rep. Woolsey. "Welfare programs fail when they only move people from welfare into poverty. We have an opportunity to learn from the past five years and make welfare work."

As Congress reauthorizes Welfare Reform this spring, Rep. Woolsey plans to introduce additional legislation that will allow education to count as work, and will provide childcare for infants and for weekend and evening workers.

Rep. Woolsey has a unique perspective on Welfare. Thirty-five years ago, she was a single mother on Welfare. Even though she was working, Rep. Woolsey needed public assistance to provide health care, childcare and food stamps for her three small children. She is serving her fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives.