Sen. Lieberman (D-CT) signed onto the conservative Democratic Carper/Bayh welfare reauthorization bill, despite earlier indications that he would not support it. The Senate Finance Committee is writing their bill this week, so it is very important for other senators to weigh in with Committee members in support of a progressive agenda. Twenty-two Senate Democrats have already signed on to a set of principles outlined by Senator Kennedy's H.E.L.P. Committee, which contain virtually every component of the National Campaign's TANF agenda. Earlier this week, Connecticut activists flooded Sen. Lieberman's office with calls from his own state - now it's time for the rest of us to send him the same message! Sen. Lieberman's national political ambitions make him particularly responsive to calls from around the country. The conservative Democratic bill sponsored by Senators Carper (D-DE) and Bayh (D-IN), entitled the Work and Family Act, includes President Bush's increased work requirements, is extremely weak on education and training, and does nothing to address other issues such as time limits or due process for welfare recipients. Sen. Lieberman had originally indicated he would not support this proposal, but later decided to sign on when changes were made to immigrant and childcare provisions. Due to grassroots pressure, Sen. Clinton (D-NY), also a co-sponsor of Carper/Bayh, has since decided to sign on to the H.E.L.P. Committee principles. Call 1-877-270-5440 and ask for the Chief of Staff or Legislative Director and deliver the following message: "It is not too late for Senator Lieberman to support a progressive agenda for welfare reauthorization. The Carper/Bayh bill will not help families in Connecticut or in other states move out of poverty. Senator Lieberman should weigh in immediately with the Senate Finance Committee in support of the H.E.L.P. Committee's principles for welfare reauthorization."