Maxwell Frost: “Mr. Speaker, welfare reform is a very serious issue. There is probably not a person in this country who thinks we should…”

“Mr. Speaker, welfare reform is a very serious issue. There is probably not a person in this country who thinks we should leave our welfare system as it is. But there are also about a million suggestions out there as to how to fix it. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues have taken the wrong suggestions. This Gingrich welfare bill, Mr. Speaker, is tough on children, weak on work, and soft on deadbeat parents. Luckily, this rule will allow the House to vote on another, much better, bipartisan welfare bill. Mr. Speaker, the American people have said time and time again that they want us to work together. They have said that they want us to put politics aside and work for the benefits to the entire country. They have also said that they want to see fewer people on welfare and more people out there working for a living. And today, Mr. Speaker, we have a chance to give the American people what they asked for. We have a bill crafted by Republicans and Democrats alike. We have a bill President Clinton believes he can sign. And we have a bill that takes some serious steps toward helping parents find and keep work without punishing their children for their parents' poverty.”