Martin Sabo: “Today we will debate legislation to radically change our welfare system. We will hear a lot about the fundamental…”

“Today we will debate legislation to radically change our welfare system. We will hear a lot about the fundamental principles that should govern the way we help those truly in need. And while I agree with those who say our welfare system must work better for the American people, we need to remember that something much more profound than rhetoric is at stake. There is no denying that we should encourage work and parental responsibility. And I have long argued that States and localities can deliver some services better than we can at the Federal level. But, there are also other principles that we need to remember when we discuss welfare. We need to remember that the safety net for vulnerable people is fundamentally important to our society. There has long been wide-spread support among Americans of all political views that the Government should help people who are too sick, too old or too young to help themselves--particularly when they don't have families who can take care of them. This is why the safety net was developed in the first place and has had the continued support of Republicans such as Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan as well as Democrats. I congratulate the Republican majority for its attempts to reform welfare, but I believe this legislation fails in many ways. Simply labeling this bill welfare reform cannot disguise the fact that it shreds the national safety net for millions of vulnerable people.”