Neal Dunn: “In 1996 we made historic changes to the welfare system. We transformed the welfare system from a permanent entitlement…”

“In 1996 we made historic changes to the welfare system. We transformed the welfare system from a permanent entitlement that tolerated an average of 13 years of government dependence to a temporary assistance program that gave people the opportunity to start working, gain the necessary skills to retain a job and to become self-sufficient. This year we have a chance to build upon those successes while improving the program to further assist individuals and families move out of poverty. I believe, Mr. Speaker, one realistic way to look at the reauthorization that we are debating today is that when we reform such a massive program as welfare, as we did in 1996, there are some people who may fall through the cracks. That, Mr. Speaker, is exactly what we are analyzing in our changes to the bill today, and we have been told by welfare recipients in those early days of 1995 and 1996 that providing adequate child care services would help them move from welfare on to work. In fact, child care spending has more than tripled under welfare reform, rising from $3 billion in 1995 to $9.4 billion in the year 2000.”