Indian Tribes and Welfare Reform (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Sept. 28, 2004 |
| Report Number |
97-86 |
| Authors |
Vee Burke, Domestic Social Policy Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The 1996 welfare law ( P.L. 104-193 ) gives federally recognized Indian tribes (defined to include
certain Alaska Native organizations) the option to design and operate their own cash welfare
programs for needy children with funds subtracted from their state's block grant for Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). As of September 15, 2004, 45 tribal TANF plans were in
operation in 16 states. Their annual rate of federal funding totaled $134.2 million. The 1996 law also
appropriated $7.6 million annually for work and training activities to tribes in 24 states that operated
a pre-TANF work and training program (now named Native Employment Works -- NEW),
authorized direct federal funding to Indian tribes for operation of child support enforcement
programs, and set aside a share of child care funds for them. The original TANF law was scheduled
to expire September 30, 2002, but Congress extended funding through several laws, most recently
through September 30, 2004. Pending are two major TANF reauthorization bills: H.R. 4 , as passed by the House, and H.R. 4 , as approved by the Senate Finance Committee.
Both bills would renew tribal TANF grants through FY2008 and make tribal organizations eligible
for new marriage promotion grants. In addition, the Senate Committee bill would authorize some
new funding (tribal improvement fund). This report will be updated for significant developments.
