Letter to Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) Regarding Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF)
July 9, 2002
The Honorable Max Baucus
Chairman,
Senate Finance Committee
United States Senate
511 Hart Senate
Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Baucus:
On behalf of the American Council on Education and the
undersigned organizations, I write to thank you for your leadership
in crafting a welfare reform bill that will truly help Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients to develop the
skills necessary for sustainable employment. We recognize the
special efforts of those who, in the spirit of bipartisanship,
ensured that expanded educational opportunities would be included in
the reauthorization of this vital legislation.
The higher education community believes that one of the surest
ways to economic security and self-sufficiency for TANF recipients
is through higher education. The current TANF statute, and the
House-approved version, include several features that significantly
limit the educational opportunities of welfare recipients. Therefore
we must count on the Senate to renew this measure in such a way that
it can promote self-sufficiency among the millions of welfare
recipients across the country.
We appreciate your commitment to TANF recipients and their
attainment of the education necessary for economic independence, and
look forward to working with you as this measure goes to the Senate
floor.
Sincerely,
David Ward
President, American
Council on Education
On behalf of:
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions
Officers
American Association of Community Colleges
American
Association of State Colleges and Universities
American Council
on Education
Association of Community College
Trustees
Association of Jesuit Colleges and
Universities
National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher
Education
National Association of College and University Business
Officers
National Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities
National Association of Student Financial Aid
Administrators
State Public Interest Research Group
United
States Student Association