Albert Russell Wynn: “I agree, the current welfare system does not work. It should be changed. As a result of the current welfare system, its…”

“I agree, the current welfare system does not work. It should be changed. As a result of the current welfare system, its recipients have lost self-respect. We have a created a system of dependency and put welfare recipients outside the mainstream of American society. The fact is today that the Republican bill is seriously flawed. It lacks compassion. It hurts children. And it reflects a continued pattern of extremism. Let us talk about the children. Children are going to be harmed by this bill because it makes no provision for the reality that, when benefits run out or their parents are put out of the program, these children still have to eat. There are no vouchers. I am here today to support the Tanner-Castle alternative because I believe it does contain compassion in that it provides for these circumstances by requiring States to offer vouchers when benefits run out so that children are not harmed. Let me be blunt. I do not believe we should target legal immigrants, but I am pressed with the Tanner-Castle bill, Tanner-Castle amendment, excuse me, because it addresses the concerns of immigrant children. Under the Republican plan, 300,000 immigrant children will be hurt. They will starve because they will be denied food assistance.”