Welfare Reform Message to the Congress
08/05/1977
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
It would serve the Nation equally ill to underrate our strengths and our proven ability to handle difficult issues.
The United States expects to benefit directly from this amendment.
Later in the day, the President called the President-elect, thanked him again for the offer, and accepted his invitation...
I don't think the administration has ever picked up the ball, much less dropped it.