Tom Harkin: “as we continue the debate on welfare reform I would like to begin by restating some things that I talked about before we…”

“as we continue the debate on welfare reform I would like to begin by restating some things that I talked about before we recessed in August. I believe it is important for people to understand that there is agreement on one issue here--the need to reform the welfare system. We may have differences of opinion about the best way to accomplish it, but on the central issue, there is agreement. There is not a single member in this Chamber who believes that welfare system is a success. It is failing the taxpayers and it is failing the people who rely on it. I had great hopes that we would be debating welfare reform legislation that enjoyed broad bipartisan support. In fact, I had written to the two leaders asking that a bipartisan task force be appointed to find our common ground. Mr. President, neither party has cornered the market on good ideas and sound solutions. Only by having voices from all segments of the political spectrum, can we arrive at sound legislation developed by using common sense. Unfortunately, the Dole amendment was negotiated behind closed doors within the Republican caucus. The result is legislation that is strong on ideology, and short on true reform. Without changes, I fear the Dole-Packwood proposal may well replace one failed, dependency inducing welfare system with many varieties of the same.”