Bill Clinton: “I'd like to, if I might, just say a couple of words. First of all, I want to thank Senator Daschle, Senator Moynihan…”

“I'd like to, if I might, just say a couple of words. First of all, I want to thank Senator Daschle, Senator Moynihan, Senator Breaux, Senator Mikulski for coming here today to discuss welfare with the Vice President and me and Governor Romer and Secretary Shalala. Last night I laid before the Nation my plan to balance the budget in 10 years in a way that is consistent with the long-term prosperity of the American people and our fundamental interests. And one of the priorities I stated was pursuing the right kind of welfare reform. I still believe that the Republican bill is too tough on children and too weak on work and runs the risk of undermining our fundamental commitment to the welfare of children without moving people from welfare to work. I want to endorse today the bill authored by Senators Daschle, Breaux, and Mikulski because it does meet those criteria. It is--it supports work. It supports doing the things that are necessary to get people into the work force and protecting children, especially dealing with the child care issues and requiring States to continue to support the children of the country who, through no fault of their own, are born into poor families. So I believe this is the right kind of welfare reform. It also saves money. It will help us balance the budget, but it does it in the right way. Federal Budget”