Political Quotes

“welfare reform is working. The 1996 welfare reform law has been a huge success in promoting work and giving thousands of needy families a chance to share in the American dream. Just take a look at some of the yardsticks which measure the success of the welfare reform law: Child poverty has fallen sharply. Since 1996, nearly 3 million children have been lifted from poverty; the African-American child poverty rate is now at a record low. More parents are working. Employment by mothers most likely to go on welfare rose by 40 percent between 1995 and 2000. Dependence fell by unprecedented levels. Welfare caseloads fell by 9 million--from 14 million recipients in 1994 to just 5 million today. As positive as that good news is, we also recognize that there is still more work left to do. We need to help the 58 percent of recipients who are not working or training for a job. We need to end the cycle of family break-up and encourage families to form. We need to continue to assist the 2 million families who remain dependent on welfare. I was pleased to vote with large bipartisan majorities of the House and the Senate to pass the 1996 law. I again voted just this past May with a majority in the House for H.R. 4737, the Personal Responsibility, Work and Family Promotion Act of 2002, to strengthen and extend the 1996 reforms for 5 years. H.R. 4737 is on the Senate calendar.”