Congresswoman Bachmann has not addressed too many specifics on welfare and unemployment. Her main legislation dealing with welfare has been the Positive Alternatives Act. This legislation would provide more flexibility in the use of block grants for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. This legislation was primarily proposed as a method to allow states to provide alternatives to abortion, but Congresswoman Bachmann also notes that the increased flexibility would allow states to adapt their programs to fit the needs of their people.
During the 2010, Congresswoman Bachmann opposed a compromise to expand unemployment benefits to states in exchange for an extension of the Bush tax cuts.
Positive Alternatives Act
In December of 2007 Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting her support for and act she was introducing to alter TANF benefits.
Bachmann Provides Alternatives to Women in Need New Legislation Ensures Holistic Approach to Family Services
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
Washington, Dec 20, 2007 -
This week, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann introduced the Positive Alternatives Act, bipartisan legislation to improve the family services offered through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
TANF funds are given to states in the form of block grants and can be used for a variety of support services for both families and individuals. The Positive Alternatives Act would ensure states have the flexibility to use their TANF block grant dollars to offer pregnant women alternative-to-abortion services. This includes information or counseling that promotes childbirth instead of abortion and assists pregnant women in making informed decisions about parenting or adoption.
“Temporary assistance to needy families, if administered properly, should undertake a holistic approach,” said Bachmann. “We cannot regard the help needed by women in difficult circumstances in a one-dimensional way.”
Currently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services permits some states to use their TANF funding for alternative-to-abortion services. However, this allowable use of funds is subject to interpretation by those administering the TANF program. The Positive Alternatives Act would codify this flexibility of TANF funds and ensure that states may offer women diverse services at a critical time in their lives.
Bachmann continued, “Women with unplanned pregnancies face many challenges. Groups that can help women navigate these challenges and empower them through counseling should be included in the expansive tent of TANF eligible services.”
More Money for Less
In June of 2008, Congresswoman Bachmann wrote an op-ed discussing her opposition to the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008.
More Money for Doing Much Less 6/12/2008 | Email Michele Bachmann | All Posts By Blogger
Having fallen short yesterday, the Democrats have brought H.R. 5749, the so-called "Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008" back to the floor for a vote. Under their parliamentary maneuver yesterday, the Democrats needed a two-thirds majority to pass the bill yesterday -- it fell 3 votes short. The Democrats are pretty much assured to succeed the second time around using a floor procedure that requires only a simple majority for passage. However, the shortfall yesterday doesn't look good against the looming veto threat from the White House.
This bill is another example of how Democrats take a decent idea that could help desperate Americans who need it the most, and in the process of hijacking it for political gain they ruin it.
Clearly, some states are feeling the unemployment crunch more than others, but this legislation makes no distinction for that. Even states with low unemployment rates would receive the 13-week extension. The White House and Republicans are willing to accept a targeted exception, but the bill as it is now is simply irresponsible.
Furthermore, this bill allows someone with as little as two weeks of work to qualify for up to 52 weeks of unemployment benefits -- a dramatic cut from the 20 weeks currently required by law. H.R. 5749 would increase entitlement spending by $12.8 billion over five years and increase the deficit by $12.2 billion. However, the bill contains no spending cuts to offset this new spending.
On the Tax Cut / Unemployment Compromise
In December of 2010, Congresswoman Bachmann appeared on Fox News and spoke about her opposition to the extension of unemployment benefits if they are not paid for in cuts somewhere else.
Reaction to Tax Compromise
In December of 2010, Congresswoman Bachmann released a press statement noting her reaction to the compromise to extend tax cuts and unemployment benefits.
Bachmann Reacts to Tax Compromise
Washington, Dec 7, 2010 - Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (MN-06) released the following statement in light of an apparent deal struck between Republicans and the White House regarding the pending tax hikes:
“Certainty must be provided to individuals, businesses large and small, farmers, and everyone impacted by the tax code. I called for the current tax rates to be made permanent for all Americans, but it appears a compromise for a two-year extension will be the temporary solution.
“It was irresponsible for Congress to adjourn in September and hit the campaign trail without finalizing the tax rates. The American people are tired of uncertainty, and this compromise on a two-year extension for all will at least offer a foundation for job creation for the immediate future.
“As part of the compromise, the President wants to extend unemployment benefits for another 13 months. Unemployment benefits are already at a historical length of 99 weeks, and the President’s request will cost another $56 billion. The President hasn’t indicated any other spending offsets or reductions to pay for these benefits, even though he claims to be committed to reducing the deficit. Our economy doesn’t have a moment to waste and it’s vital that we stop these tax increases now, but we cannot overlook the consequences of another unfunded extension of unemployment benefits. Along with the American people, I anxiously await the final version of the bill that will bring certainty to our nation’s taxpayers.”
Voting Record
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
In December of 2010, the House voted to pass the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The act passed 264-157. Michele Bachmann cast a "No Vote"
In November of 2010, the House voted on the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Continuation Act. The act failed to pass 258-154. Michele Bachmann voted against the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Continuation Act.
Michele Bachmann voted against the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Continuation Act.
Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act
In July of 2010 the House voted on the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act. The Act passed 270-153. Michele Bachmann voted against the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act.
Michele Bachmann voted against the Restoration of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act.
Amends title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act to repeal the Emergency Contingency Fund for State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Programs (Emergency Fund), as added by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and eliminate related provisions.
Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to prohibit section 8 rental assistance (including tenant- and project-based assistance) from being provided to any family that includes a convicted felon or illegal alien. Places a five-year limitation on section 8 rental assistance, disregarding any month during which such individual was a member of a disabled or elderly family so assisted. Prohibits such assistance on behalf of any family, unless each member of the family who is 18 years of age or older performs at least 20 hours of work activities per week. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to exempt from such prohibition any individual family member who meets certain requirements. Requires a public housing agency (PHA), in providing such housing assistance, to give preference to families that include a member who is a veteran that will reside in the dwelling unit. Expresses the sense of Congress that the HUD Moving to Work demonstration program under the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 should be expanded to include significantly more PHAs. Authorizes the use of unspent section 8 housing assistance payments for section 8 compliance measures. Requires approved PHA plans, including modifications and amendments, to be made public at the PHA's office and in electronic form on the World Wide Web.
