Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Tanf Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. MILLER of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8872, the Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act led by my colleague from Ohio (Mr. Carey).

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, TANF, exists for one purpose, which is to help low-income families through difficult times and to support their path toward work, stability, and self- sufficiency. But for too long, TANF dollars have not been managed with the level of accountability that taxpayers and families deserve throughout our country.

The numbers are stark. From 2015 to 2024, unspent TANF balances more than doubled, from roughly $4 billion to $9.7 billion. States held approximately $8 billion in TANF funds rather than spending them on needy families.

In my home State of Ohio alone, more than $600 million was sitting unused. When billions of dollars sit idle year after year, those funds are not helping families find work, support children, or get through a crisis.

This is exactly why Congressman Carey and I introduced the Improve Transparency and Stability for Families and Children Act earlier this Congress. I am pleased those reforms are now incorporated into H.R. 8872.

This legislation fixes the problem directly. It ensures funds actually reach low-income families, sets clear spending deadlines so money doesn't sit idle, holds States accountable, strengthens program integrity by requiring measurement of improper payments, and prevents Federal TANF dollars from being used to replace State spending. I believe everyone can get on board with that.

If we are serious about helping families in need and if we believe in TANF's mission of moving families from welfare to work and towards independence, then we must ensure that the money actually reaches them and it is not lost to waste, fraud, or even bureaucratic mismanagement. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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