Stephanie Herseth Sandlin: “Mr. Chairman, the House needs to pass a reauthorization of the welfare reform bill. Welfare reform was designed to help…”

“Mr. Chairman, the House needs to pass a reauthorization of the welfare reform bill. Welfare reform was designed to help people by getting them a job, not handing them a check. CBO estimates that implementing the work requirements of the Republican bill will cost States $11 billion. It makes absolutely no sense to impose an unfunded mandate on our States. This mandate will cost my State of Texas $688 million at a time when we are facing a budget deficit of $10 billion in the State. That is irresponsible and that is simply a tax increase on our citizens. On a more personal level, American families want jobs and the quality education and training to get good jobs. The Republican bill eliminates vocational educational training as a work-related activity and increases work participation hours for mothers with children under 6 years from 20 hours to 40 hours. It is irresponsible. Let us do the right thing. Let us forge a working partnership with America's families as envisioned by the Cardin amendment. We need to be an asset, not a stumbling block to helping our citizens obtain the jobs and the dignity they deserve. Let us support State governments. Reject the Republican bill and support Cardin-Kind-Woolsey.”