Political Quotes

“In 1996 this Congress came together to work on a bipartisan basis and enact work requirements for welfare programs. Mr. Chairman, let me be very clear. The United States needs a social safety net. We need a social welfare program--let me say it again--as a safety net, as a program that is there to help those on a temporary basis at a time of need to offer a handout. Under President Clinton, under Republicans and Democrats working together in 1996, and I make note, Mr. Chairman, then-Senator Joe Biden voted in support of installing work requirements for welfare programs such as for the SNAP program, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. {time} 2320 Under the program or under the law change, the work requirements simply meant that you needed to go to a job assistance center, a job training center, somewhere to gain the skills to connect you with available jobs. More recently, Mr. Chair, just months ago, Republicans and Democrats--and I want to make note the majority of Democrats in this Chamber, the majority of Republicans in this Chamber and our President Joe Biden signed into law strengthening those work requirements; for example, raising the requirement up to age 55 that work capable individuals without dependents would be responsible for 20 hours of work in order to be eligible after an extended period for programs like food stamps.…”