Todd Tiahrt: “helping the American people is why many of us ran for Congress. I think life is getting better in America every day, but…”

“helping the American people is why many of us ran for Congress. I think life is getting better in America every day, but there are still people who are having a tough time making ends meet. We need to help as many of those people who are truly in need as we can. I think the welfare reform bill we have before us today will help those people by giving them the tools they need to make their dreams become a reality. Since 1994, welfare caseloads have fallen by 9 million. Today, only about 2 percent of the population of the United States is on welfare. With this bill, we can reduce this number even further by helping people become productive. As a body, I believe we need to do what is best for this great country. Voting for this bill is a vote for a better and stronger Nation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues who supported the successful 1996 bill to keep up the good work and vote for this landmark reform legislation, and I urge those who voted ``no'' last time to take another look. You cannot argue with success. Let us put our people before politics. Vote ``yes'' for H.R. 4700, the Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2002.”