Political Quotes

“H.R. 4737 is a top priority for President Bush and one of the most important bills we'll consider this year. The 1996 welfare reform law--one the most successful social policy initiatives in recent memory--is set to expire later this year. In February, President Bush unveiled his principles for reauthorizing this important law; H.R. 4737, the Personal Responsibility, Work and Family Promotion Act, is based on those principles. Its goal is simple: to put even more Americans on the path to self-sufficiency and independence. While the '96 law has been an unqualified success, there is more work to be done. A majority of TANF recipients-- 58 percent--still aren't working for their benefits. That's why H.R. 4737 strengthens current work requirements. It asks welfare recipients to engage in work-related activities for 40 hours a week--16 of which could be in education, job training, or other constructive activities as defined by states. The measure also gradually increases the work participation rate required of states--by 2007, 70 percent of a state's TANF recipients must be in work-related activities, up from 50 percent in current law. Moreover, the bill makes significant improvements to the Child Care and Development Block Grant. It adds $1 billion in discretionary funding to the program over five years and requires states to devote more money to improving child care quality.”