Joe Biden: “since 1987, when I first proposed an overhaul of the welfare system, I have argued that welfare recipients should be…”

“since 1987, when I first proposed an overhaul of the welfare system, I have argued that welfare recipients should be required to work. Nine years later, America is still in need of fundamental welfare reform. So, today, Mr. President, Senator Specter and I are introducing the Bipartisan Welfare Reform Act of 1996--the Senate companion to legislation introduced in April by Representatives Mike Castle and John Tanner and 30 moderate House Members from both parties. Let me briefly review how we got to this point and why we are taking this action. Last September, the Senate passed a bipartisan welfare reform bill by an overwhelming vote of 87-12. I voted for that bill, and President Clinton said he could sign it. Since then, however, polarizing partisanship and Presidential politics have permeated this issue. And, the result has been paralysis. Nothing has been accomplished. In an attempt to break the gridlock, last February, the Nation's Governors--led by my Governor, Tom Carper--proposed a bipartisan welfare reform bill. In April, Representatives Castle and Tanner and a group of other moderates wrote what I believe is a first-rate bipartisan welfare reform plan. No such bipartisan plan to date has been introduced in the Senate. And, as this issue will be back before us again soon, Senator Specter and I decided that now is the time--and the Castle-Tanner proposal is the bill to move us forward.”