Congresswoman Claudia Tenney from New York has reintroduced the Protect TANF Resources for Families Act. The legislation aims to prevent states from using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to address state budget shortfalls. Congressman Aaron Bean from Florida is an original cosponsor of the bill.
Currently, some states reportedly use TANF to finance activities that were previously state and local responsibilities. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report indicated that unused TANF funds more than doubled to $9 billion from fiscal year 2015 to 2022. However, many states could not account for the use of these unspent funds. The new legislation seeks to ensure that TANF funds supplement, rather than replace, existing state funding.
“We must ensure that TANF is used to assist those it was intended to serve and that states do not abuse the generosity of taxpayers. To prevent states from diverting TANF funds to cover budget shortfalls, the Protect TANF Resources for Families Act will implement strict oversight and reporting mechanisms. We must safeguard this valuable resource for the families who need it most,” stated Congresswoman Tenney.
