Bob Dole: “I make a motion to strike the amendment numbered 2496. The Bradley amendment amends the plan that States must submit to…”

“I make a motion to strike the amendment numbered 2496. The Bradley amendment amends the plan that States must submit to receive Federal funds under the new block grant. Specifically, the amendment does three things: It requires the State to define who is eligible and who is ineligible for cash assistance. This creates the invitation for welfare litigation against the States over who is eligible for assistance. It creates an individual entitlement by requiring States to provide benefits to all individuals that the States deem eligible. This amendment shifts the entitlement from the Federal Government to the State government. The cycle of dependency that is created by the entitlement must be broken. Finally, the Bradley amendment creates an unfunded mandate on the States by possibly requiring States to provide unmatched funds to individuals. Mr. President, the point of this exercise is to provide States with the needed flexibility to address welfare reform, not to create another unfunded mandate on the States.”