Recipients can't spend federal funds at liquor stores, casinos and strip clubs
The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill Wednesday evening sponsored by Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, aimed at keeping welfare recipients from spending their government assistance at liquor stores, casinos or strip clubs.
Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, left, and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, were co-sponsors of legislation which passed Wednesday evening aimed at keeping welfare recipients from spending their government assistance at liquor stores, casinos or strip clubs.Boustany's "Welfare Integrity Now for Children and Families" legislation, which was co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, required two-thirds vote for passage and it got it -- passing 395 to 27, with 26 liberal Democrats, and a lone Republican freshman, Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan -- voting "no." All of Louisiana's members of Congress voted "yes," including Rep. Cedric Richmond of New Orleans, the only Democrat in the delegation.
Under the terms of Boustany's bill, states would have two years to establish rules to ensure that recipients of federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cannot use any of that assistance at any liquor store, casino or gaming establishment, or "any retail establishment which provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment."
Practically speaking, the bill could lead to disabling the TANF Electronic Benefit Transfer cards from working at ATM machines in those locations, and Amash voted against it because he felt it was promising more than that fix could deliver.
A state that failed to comply within two years would lose 5 percent of its TANF money.
"Congress has an obligation to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately. This legislation stops waste, fraud and abuse within the welfare program. It protects the public interest by ensuring money meant to help Americans get back on their feet is used for that very purpose," said Boustany. "Providing access to welfare funds on EBT cards in strip clubs, liquor store and casinos was never the intent of the program. This bill holds states responsible for protecting taxpayer funds while continuing to provide the support many American families need during these difficult times."
But Melissa Boteach, who manages a campaign at the liberal Center for American Progress Action Fund to cut poverty in half in 10 years, described it as a cynical attempt to gain political advantage on the backs of the poor.
"This vote represents yet another instance in the creeping trend of conservatives to demonize the poor -- and then threaten anyone who votes against the legislation with supporting 'welfare spending' for strip club admissions," Boteach wrote before the vote. "The tactic enables conservatives to imply that tough economic circumstances somehow make poor people delinquent and criminally inclined."
She also said that it could prove expensive to require states to chase after a largely illusory problem.
The Rev. Aubrey Wallace of New Orleans called Boustany's office Wednesday and asked them to produce evidence of the abuse the bill is intended to address.
Jonathan Tilove can be reached at jtilove@timespicayune.com or 202.450.1404.