Political Quotes

“If I thought this was a serious attempt by Speaker Newt Gingrich to improve the welfare reform debate, I would seriously try to deal with the waiver issues. However, consideration of a waiver for this Wisconsin welfare plan today is but a cynical political ploy to do a one-upsmanship on the President. I am sick and tired of some Democrats, and some Republicans alike, using welfare children and families as pawns in a political squabble to try to make voters believe they are reforming welfare. This plan may be credible, but who knows. We have had no hearings, and the floor jockeys on the bill do not have the faintest notion of what is in this plan. We all need to stop the posturing, the game playing and the deceit. This bill does not deserve the vote of one serious Member of this body. Welfare certainly can be reformed, but this is not the way to deal with this issue. Neither Speaker Gingrich or Bill Clinton should drive us to do political gymnastics on this issue. I am told under the Wisconsin plan that families would only get help when parents are participating in work activities. But there is no assurance that sufficient placements will be available for parents. This plan does not give any details as to what happens when that family cannot find work within a specified period of time. It appears the whole family, including the children, could lose all cash aid.”