Congressman Tom Reed on Monday announced a new piece of legislation he says will hold states more accountable in their effort to get residents off welfare and back to work.
The Corning Republican is touting the Promoting Assistance with Transitional Help Act, also called the PATH Act, a bill he will introduce in Washington when Congress returns in September. According to Reed, the PATH Act takes aim at disincentives in the federal welfare system that discourage individuals from moving toward self-sufficiency.
Reed adds that the current federal welfare system discourages the working poor from accepting a full-time job, a raise, or even a bonus, which only furthers the cycle of dependency. He said the goal of the PATH Act is to offer help for those who are doing everything in their power to get back on their own feet.
The legislation does not impact what benefits recipients receive, it instead reaffirms to states that the purpose of the federal program is to be temporary.
Reed is also set to hold a social welfare roundtable today in Chautauqua County to meet with area public officials and community stakeholders for a discussion of anti-poverty and social welfare programs. The roundtable is part of Reed’s initiative to make welfare reform a larger part of the national conversation. County social service commissioners, school officials and local elected officials are slated to attend.
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