(Washington, DC) -  Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D., (R-South Louisiana) issued the following statement after introducing the Welfare Integrity Now (WIN) for Children and Families Act (H.R. 3567). Designed to stop waste, fraud, and abuse within the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, this legislation prevents TANF benefits from being fraudulently misused:

“This legislation ensures taxpayers dollars in this program are being used in the manner they were intended: to help those that need it most. By prohibiting welfare funds on EBT cards from being accessible in strip clubs, liquor stores, and casinos, H.R. 3567 seeks to prevent the fraudulent misuse of funds within the TANF system. In doing so, families across America will continue to receive the assistance they need in this tough economic climate. The WIN for Children and Families Act also holds states accountable for not complying with this provision. The abuse of funds on EBT cards must stop.”

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Background: Many state governments issue welfare recipients an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card with cash benefits to assist families with ongoing basic needs, such as food, shelter and clothing. The EBT systems have not only simplified the distribution of financial assistance to individuals, but for the first time, provide a way of tracking where the benefits are withdrawn. As a result, states are discovering some TANF recipients making cash withdrawals from gambling casinos, liquor stores and adult entertainment venues. Specifically, this legislation would require states to implement policies to prohibit assistance provided under the TANF block grant program from being used in these venues. If a state cannot demonstrate its compliance of the new law within two years of its enactment, the state would face a five percent reduction in its TANF block grant.