Political Quotes

“1 week ago, I voted for the welfare reform legislation that passed the Senate. Previously, I had supported two alternatives--one a Democratic version and the other a bipartisan alternative. Although both these attempts failed, some of their provisions were adopted into the bill that passed, making if far better by providing a wider safety net for children and the poor. The conference report before us now is not as good as I would like. It probably is not anyone's ideal plan for welfare reform. Frankly, I think the Senate's version was preferable to this conference report. But, while some provisions within the legislation are still troubling and need to be reworked down the road, at least we are off to a good start in reforming a system that we all agree is broken and needs to be overhauled. One thing is certain: regardless of its shortcomings, this bill is a product of sincere efforts to end the harmful dependency and other severe short-comings which currently exist in our welfare system. Throughout this debate and these difficult negotiations, I have been impressed with the diligence, tenacity, and honesty which Members have displayed in trying to come up with an acceptable plan to end welfare as we know it. The measure we are considering today does, in fact, represent a change in philosophy in how we think about children and families.”