Mark Hatfield: “the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 moves our Nation in a positive direction by…”

“the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 moves our Nation in a positive direction by reforming our current welfare system. Not only does it eliminate the entitlement status of welfare, but the bill requires those able-bodied recipients who can work, to work. In addition, the bill provides $4.5 billion more for child care than current law, maintains Medicaid eligibility for those citizens who qualify for assistance, and allows those States who are operating under Federal waivers to continue to do so. The child care and Medicaid provisions in this bill will allow welfare recipients to better make the transition to work. Also, the Federal Government, by allowing States to continue with their innovative welfare reform programs, will see continued successes, as in Oregon, in welfare reform. As chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and while currently embroiled in the appropriations process, my experience has taught me all too well the dire consequences of continuing, without change, entitlement programs that we do not, and cannot control. We can no longer keep spending until all needs are met. These entitlement programs place a great burden on the Appropriations Committee and more importantly, a burden on the many other needs of our Nation. Only through a commitment to providing better opportunities for those living in poverty will we find a solution to poverty.”