Diane Watson: “I rise to support my Democratic colleagues in their approach to welfare reform. Voters overwhelmingly believe that…”

“I rise to support my Democratic colleagues in their approach to welfare reform. Voters overwhelmingly believe that expanding training opportunities that will help new people from welfare to good jobs should be a top priority of this Congress. The voting public supports a TANF reform agenda of expanded access to training, education and flexible time limits. The polling data demonstrates that 82 percent of Americans favor increasing funding for job training and child care. Mr. Speaker, this is what the Democratic proposal presents. The Republican proposals do not represent the voice of America or our welfare recipients. The one-size-fits-all, Washington-knows-best unfunded mandates of Republican proposals will not work. We need to build upon the success of the past by increasing funding flexibility. We need to assist TANF recipients to get living wage jobs so that they have access to upward mobility. Mr. Speaker, the Democratic proposals will do just that.”