John B. Breaux: “Back to the basic point I think the Senator is making, it is that somehow if the Breaux amendment passes States will not…”

“Back to the basic point I think the Senator is making, it is that somehow if the Breaux amendment passes States will not be able to reduce the amount of money they spend on welfare. That is absolutely and clearly incorrect. States are encouraged to spend less through reforms. We just say if they are spending less than 90 percent of what they spent the year before, the Federal Government will also reduce our contribution. Does the Senator disagree that under the Republican proposal, you lock in the Federal contribution for 5 years? Even if the State has less people on welfare, saves money, the Federal Government is still required to spend 100 percent of what they spent in 1994?”