Bill Archer: “Mr. Speaker, it has been 8 days since the President formally received the request for Wisconsin waivers from Governor…”

“Mr. Speaker, it has been 8 days since the President formally received the request for Wisconsin waivers from Governor Tommy Thompson. He still has not approved it. As Members will recall, the President endorsed the Governor's request to implement his innovative welfare initiative by waiving the cumbersome and counterproductive Federal rules and regulations that govern welfare. The American people noted the great speed with which the President went on national radio to endorse the Wisconsin waivers, once he had learned that Senator Bob Dole would visit Wisconsin to announce his own welfare proposal. But as of today, 8 days after the President's ringing endorsement, the Clinton administration has yet to sign the Wisconsin waivers. Under the Social Security Act, the Clinton administration has the immediate authority to sign the Wisconsin waivers. Given his radio address, there should be no reason for the Clinton administration to negotiate, study, or otherwise delay the waivers Wisconsin seeks. To help the President refocus his energy on the Wisconsin waivers, today we initiate this legislative process of sending the President the Wisconsin waivers in legislative form. The President endorsed the Wisconsin proposal, and now we are giving him the opportunity to personally approve it by signing this bill. We eagerly await his signature.”