Steny Hoyer: “Mr. Speaker, over the years Congress has created, as we have heard, hundreds of programs, 600 plus of categorical…”

“Mr. Speaker, over the years Congress has created, as we have heard, hundreds of programs, 600 plus of categorical programs to help communities and families deal with the many issues confronting them. Each of the programs was created with its own rules and regulations. In some areas, local needs do not fit the problems specifically covered by categorical programs. In other areas, services overlap and duplicate each other. Right now, case workers spend far too much time dealing with red tape and paperwork. The Federal Government has created hundreds of different taps through which assistance flows; and communities, programs and families must run from tap to tap, in many instances with a bucket, to help the people that we want to help as well.”