On February 1, the House approved, 395-27, the Welfare Integrity Now for Children and Families Act (H.R. 3567). The measure is similar to legislation approved by the House and Senate in December (see The Source, 12/16/11).
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA), would require states to implement and maintain policies that prevent recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits from using those benefits in liquor stores, casinos, and strip clubs. States that fail to comply with the provisions within two years after enactment will risk having their state family assistance grants reduced by five percent the following year and for every year afterward for which they are not in compliance. States would not be responsible for individuals who violate the provisions on their own.
