Political Quotes

“yet again during the 104th Congress we find ourselves debating welfare reform on the floor of the Senate. It is regrettable that we even have to take the time to debate this issue. We have already twice passed solid welfare reform plans which would give States the necessary flexibility to truly provide for the unique needs of the less fortunate in their States. Unfortunately, the President's vetoes of the two previous welfare reform proposals has left us with no real reform and has left States floundering. Just over 10 months ago, I stood here on the Senate floor and said that welfare reform was long overdue. It still is. We all know the welfare system in this Nation is seriously flawed. Maintaining the status quo is not only not an option, I believe it is morally wrong. We must break the cycle of poverty which our current system has perpetuated. As Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said, "The lessons of history show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual and moral disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit." If we are to restore that spirit, we must give those on welfare a fighting chance--a chance I believe they want--to once again become contributing members of our society.”