John Shaw: “today I think is a defining day in the history of this Congress. We are going straight at probably one of the biggest…”

“today I think is a defining day in the history of this Congress. We are going straight at probably one of the biggest problems that we have in this country and something that I can only describe as a national disgrace. I respect every Member of this body, and I respect the great diversity all across this country. I respect the Governors of this country, and I respect the 50 States. But I would say to all of my colleagues, let us recognize that we have a failed welfare system in this country. Let us realize that at one time or another, every sitting Member of this Congress who has been here through the 104th Congress has at one time voted against the existing welfare system. What brings us together is that we all agree that the existing welfare system is not worth defending. We must change. We have got stagnation of population. We have tremendous problems out there that have been caused by a welfare system that the Congress procrastinated with, did nothing about, did not change. Now we are bringing forth change. Last year there was a Democrat substitute which took the vote of every Member on the minority side, and then there was a Republican bill that prevailed and went on to the President, and he vetoed it. It went to the President again and he vetoed it. What we are giving to the President today is another chance, another chance to deliver upon his promise to change welfare as we know it today. That is tremendously important.…”