William R. Richardson: “I am committed to reforming our failing welfare system. Our Nation needs a welfare reform that gives people back the…”

“I am committed to reforming our failing welfare system. Our Nation needs a welfare reform that gives people back the dignity and control that comes from work and independence. Our current system pays cash assistance when people lack adequate means to provide for their families rather than providing them with the means to support themselves. My voting record reflects what I want to see in a welfare reform bill. I believe that welfare should be a temporary program that provides a safety net for people who fall on hard times. I have voted for a program that limits persons to a 5-year lifetime limit for welfare assistance. I believe that able-bodied adults with no children should not be eligible for food stamp benefits if they are not working at least part time. I also believe that welfare recipients must be aggressively looking for a job. I have voted for legislation which terminates a persons benefits if they refused to work, to accept a job, or refused to look for work. If a job is not available, welfare recipients should be put in community service jobs. Central to the welfare debate are our children. I believe that people should not have children until they are able to support them. I support provisions which reduce benefits for teen parents who fail to maintain minimum performance in school and denies teen parents assistance unless they are living with a parent or responsible adult.”