Lynn C. Woolsey: “we all agree that the welfare system does not work for the welfare recipients and for the taxpayers. The challenge we…”

“we all agree that the welfare system does not work for the welfare recipients and for the taxpayers. The challenge we face as lawmakers is to improve the system so we can invest in getting families off welfare and into jobs that pay a liveable wage, and also to answer the ``what ifs''. What if a mother on welfare cannot find a job? What if she is not earning enough to take care of her family? What if she cannot find child care for her 6-year-old? Unfortunately, this conference report will not ensure families can live on the jobs that they get, that they will earn a liveable wage, and this conference has made sure that it does not answer our ``what ifs''. It kicks families off of assistance, even if parents are trying hard to find a job. It does not even invest in the education and training parents need to get jobs that pay an actual liveable wage. Even though the House and Senate agreed that single parents with kids under 11 should not leave their children home alone if there is no child care, the majority went ahead without discussion and lowered that age to under 6. How many of my colleagues would leave their 6-year-old home alone? I ask my colleagues, do not take this vote lightly. Do not leave any child behind. The lives of millions of children are at stake. It will be too late tomorrow if the what-ifs are not answered today.”