Andrea Seastrand: “confused about where the President stands on welfare reform? Well, the White House does not even know for sure. The…”

“confused about where the President stands on welfare reform? Well, the White House does not even know for sure. The Clinton administration is tripping all over its own rhetoric on welfare. I call it the politics of confusion. Last Friday in a embargo briefing on the President's radio address, White House press secretary Mike McCurry said, quote, the President in his address, or in this address, has signaled that he will look with favor on the Wisconsin welfare reform model. And the President did. Specifically he said, I quote, ``Wisconsin submitted to me for approval the outlines of a sweeping welfare reform plan, one of the boldest yet attempted in America. All in all, Wisconsin has the makings of a solid, bold welfare reform plan. We should get it done.'' End quote. Well, however, if my colleagues read the Washington Post this morning, the White House is waffling. We hear remarks such as we will have to negotiate the situation, details will have to be changed before the Federal Government approves the necessary waivers. Mr. Speaker, it is my belief that President Clinton should not be playing politics with the welfare proposal. We need welfare reform, we need it now. Let us get it done.”