Bill Archer: “I believe that the current welfare system has destroyed the American dream for too many people, and this bill represents…”

“I believe that the current welfare system has destroyed the American dream for too many people, and this bill represents an important part of our agenda to restore the American dream. It also represents a core philosophical principle; that a hand-up is better than a hand-out. The American people have rightfully demanded that we fix this welfare system. They instinctively understand that the current welfare system undermines incentives to work, encourages the expansion of the underclass, breaks up families, and promotes welfare as a way of life. And they understand that the current system is a perversion of basic American values that value work, that promote personal responsibility, and that foster freedom. This reform legislation values work. It requires that every able-bodied welfare recipient work for their benefits within 2 years.”