PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 109-68.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Sep 21, 2005
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 8, 2005. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
TANF Emergency Response and Recovery Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to pay each state family assistance grant payable for the first quarter of FY2006, as soon as practicable after the enactment of this Act.
Provides that activities authorized by part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of title IV of the Social Security Act shall continue through December 31, 2005, in the manner authorized for FY2005. Makes necessary appropriations for such purpose. Provides that grants and payments may be made pursuant to this authority through the first quarter of FY2006 at the same level as provided through the first quarter of 2005. Extends the National Random Sample Study of Child Welfare and Child Welfare Waiver Authority through December 31, 2005.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
(Sec. 3) Provides that, between the enactment of this Act and August 31, 2006, a state shall be considered a needy state for purposes of the TANF Contingency Fund for State Welfare Programs if: (1) cash benefits under the state TANF program have been provided on a short-term, nonrecurring basis to a family which has resided in another state that includes an area for which a major disaster has been declared as a result of Hurricane Katrina, and has traveled (not necessarily directly) to the state from such other state as a result of the hurricane; and (2) the state has determined that the family is not receiving cash benefits from any program funded under part A of any other state. Declares that no state match is required for such state payments.
(Sec. 4) Provides that between the enactment of this Act and the end of FY2006: (1) the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama shall be considered eligible for federal loans for State Welfare Programs; and (2) the cumulative dollar amount of all loans made to such a state by reason of this Act shall not exceed 20% of the state family assistance grant payable to the state for FY2006. Prohibits the imposition of a penalty against Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama for failure to repay such a loan or make any interest payment on it.
(Sec. 5) Authorizes a state or tribe to use a grant made under the TANF program for any fiscal year to provide, without fiscal year limitation, any benefit or service that may be provided under the state or tribal TANF program to support needy families affected by Hurricane Katrina.
(Sec. 6) Declares that benefits provided on a short-term, nonrecurring basis under a state TANF program, between the enactment of this Act and the end of FY2006, to meet a subsistence need of a family resulting from Hurricane Katrina shall not be considered assistance for purposes of mandatory work requirements and the five-year limit on assistance.
(Sec. 7) Prohibits the Secretary from imposing a penalty on Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama for failure to comply with any provision of the TANF program between the enactment of this Act and the end of FY2006, if the failure resulted from Hurricane Katrina or reasonable conduct of the state in addressing needs of Hurricane Katrina victims.
(Sec. 8) Designates each amount provided in this Act (other than in Sec. 2) as an emergency requirement exempt from the budget enforcement requirements of H.Con. Res. 95 (109th Congress).
People & committees
Rep. McCrery, Jim [R-LA-4] · R–LA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 109-68.
Became Public Law No: 109-68.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Cleared for White House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10149-10150)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10149-10150)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7766-7767)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7766-7767)
DEBATE - The House resumed debate on H.R. 3672.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3672.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7766-7773)
Mr. Thomas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.3672 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.3672 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.3672 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.3672 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.