bonnie Posted February 1, 2012 Posted February 1, 2012 House Set to Ban Welfare Payments at Strip Clubs GOP moves forward on bill to halt welfare payments at strip clubs, casinos. USA News Politics By Alex M. Parker January 31, 2012 RSS Feed Print As the recession continues onward, House Republicans are worried that those receiving welfare payments may be having a bit too good of a time. The chamber will again vote Wednesday on a bill which would ensure that electronic withdrawals of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families dollars aren't allowed to be withdrawn from ATMs at strip clubs, casinos or liquor stores. TANF replaced national welfare programs after the welfare reforms of 1996. The measure, sponsored by Louisiana Republican Rep. Charles Boustany, had originally been approved by the House in December as part of a larger funding measure for welfare programs, but it was dropped from the final law. Now, it will get a stand-alone vote, along with several other measures which face an uncertain future in the Senate. "The abuse of [electronic benefits transfer] cards must stop," Boustany said when the measure was first proposed in December. The calls for greater restrictions on how welfare dollars are spent have grown as media reports have continued to highlight TANF payment misuse. In 2010, then-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger blocked the use of welfare ATM cards at casinos and strip clubs, after it was reported that $5 million in TANF dollars were spent at casinos over three years. This bill would implement that ban nationwide. While supporters claim that the bill is necessary to safeguard taxpayer dollars, critics claim it is stigmatizing those hit with hard times to score political points. Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore, claimed that the bill would "humiliate and marginalize" poor people. "It many neighborhoods, the closest ATM is located in a nearby liquor store," Moore said when the bill was debated in December. The bill is one of four measures which will see a vote Wednesday, according to a Republican source. While their chances of surviving in the Senate are slim, Republicans will likely use the votes to try to bludgeon Democrats—just as Democrats hope to use symbolic votes on measures such as the "Buffett Rule" to paint the GOP in a bad light. Coming off of the heels of a Congressional Budget Office report showing that federal employees are paid, on average, more than their private sector counterparts, the House will also take a vote on a bill which would freeze the pay of federal employees and members of Congress. Another bill would slash the budgets for committees in the House. Congress will also be voting on a bill which would repeal the CLASS Act, part of the Affordable Care Act which the president has already declined to implement. Quote Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period ... ... Wish more people would realize this. Quotes by Susan Gottesman
Woody Posted February 1, 2012 Posted February 1, 2012 That should bring down the house. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology. Â
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