Walter B. Jones: “this week Congress has taken bold steps toward enacting genuine welfare reform. The next step will be President…”

“this week Congress has taken bold steps toward enacting genuine welfare reform. The next step will be President Clinton's. We will send him real work requirements, real time limits. We will end welfare for noncitizens. Our bill will lift 1.3 million people out of welfare and into jobs by 2002, and we will end the process whereby able-bodied recipients stay on welfare for 13 years. Many in Congress would say that welfare reform is cruel to children. Absolute nonsense. Nothing could be more cruel than to leave today's children in yesterday's welfare system. The goal of any true welfare reform is to lift children and families out of poverty and despair. If America is to prosper in the next century, we must reform welfare so that it honors work and encourages people's responsibility. Mr. President, the American people want you to sign this welfare reform bill. Please, Mr. President, listen to the people.”