Rob Portman: “I rise in support of real welfare reform--something that is long, long overdue. The current welfare system is broken. It…”

“I rise in support of real welfare reform--something that is long, long overdue. The current welfare system is broken. It needs a major overhaul. No one can doubt the fact the war on poverty has failed--no one. We have spent over $5.4 trillion on welfare in the last generation, but, in the long term, the current system has more often harmed the very people it was designed to help. Madam Chairman, the welfare reform issue has been thoroughly and, I believe, thoughtfully studies and debated by this Congress. Remember, this marks the third time this session that this Congress will pass a welfare reform bill and sent it to the President. This new proposal is a fundamental change in the direction of our welfare system. It is the product of many, many hours of hearings and many sensible compromises. We are not, as some might have you believe, turning our backs on welfare recipients, nor should we. This bill continues to protect the children that are the most vulnerable people affected by our broken welfare system. It will continue to protect and to strengthen the role of families. But, it also protects our taxpayers. We're telling our taxpayers that, for now on, welfare will be a helping hand, not a handout. The new plan contains the major provisions I have worked for--work requirements, flexibility to allow States to address their own unique needs, and a 5-year time limit for those on welfare.”