Orrin Hatch: “Today we take the first big step in ending the era of big government. Today, we send the states the authority to design…”

“Today we take the first big step in ending the era of big government. Today, we send the states the authority to design their own programs for the needy. We move one step further away from the one-size-fits-all approach that comes from a Federal bureaucracy far removed from individual state environments and constituencies. This bill completely changes the very nature of welfare from one of endless individual entitlement to one of temporary assistance and personal responsibility. This legislation is the result of a truly bipartisan process. I want to thank my colleagues for their work in crafting a compromise that can be supported by a majority of both parties. I also want to congratulate the President for joining this effort. While we all wondered whether, after vetoing welfare reform twice in the last year, he would sign this measure, I am delighted that he has announced his support for this bill. I commend him for this decision. This is a great victory for Congress, for the President, for the States, for the taxpayers, and, above all, for the needy families of America.”