Damn you heartless bastards!

WASHINGTON (AP) — Renewing a political fight from last year’s presidential campaign, House Republicans passed a bill Wednesday that would prevent the Obama administration from waiving work requirements in the landmark 1996 welfare reform law.

Republicans say President Barack Obama is trying to weaken work requirements in the law — a claim that is disputed by administration officials and Democrats in Congress. The bill passed on a mostly party-line vote of 246-181.

The bill also authorizes funding for cash welfare benefits through the end of the year at current levels. Without an extension, federal funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program would run out March 27.

Senate Democrats are expected to oppose the waiver provision. The House passed a similar provision last year and it died in the Senate. Instead, the Senate has included funding for TANF in a larger bipartisan bill that would finance the federal government through September.