WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives voted today to extend the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Child Care Entitlement to States (CCES) programs, critical programs that give low-income families access to important financial and child care support.

“We know low-income workers face significant hurdles in reaching economic security. TANF is critical to making sure these families can afford basic necessities like food, housing and medicine,” U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), a member of the House Ways & Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support, said on the House floor today. “In fact, over 11,000 families in Alabama currently receive assistance from TANF and more than 20,000 children benefit from this important program.”

“This legislation also extends the Child Care Entitlement to States program, an important tool as we fight to make sure all parents can access affordable, quality child care. Child care is one of the largest expenses facing families, and the matching funds included in this program are important to support low-income workers and their children,” Sewell continued. “I am pleased that this bill will unlock $10.2 million in funding for child care in Alabama to help meet the needs of children and families in my district.”

TANF is designed to help low-income families afford basic needs and provide services to aid in job preparation and retention. The CCES program provides important child care benefits to working parents, which especially impacts working mothers. Studies show that higher child care costs have a negative impact on mothers’ employment, whereas child care subsidies increase women’s labor force participation, help them obtain and maintain a job and increase their income. Families who receive child care support are more likely to be employed – and to be employed for longer periods of time – than families who do not receive support.

H.R. 2490 extends these critical programs through fiscal year 2019.

Video of Sewell’s remarks on the House floor today is available here.