Gerald Kleczka: “I rise in support of the welfare proposal put forth by the majority today. I commend my colleagues on their decision to…”

“I rise in support of the welfare proposal put forth by the majority today. I commend my colleagues on their decision to remove the poison pill of Medicaid from this bill. And I commend my colleagues for the substantial steps they have taken to address the President's concerns, and the concerns of my Democratic colleagues. This new bill ensures the continuation of health care coverage for those no longer eligible for AFDC. It deletes the unwarranted reductions to the earned income tax credit that were included in the original bill. And, it adds in $3 billion in work program funding. No piece of legislation is perfect; this one is no exception. We know full well that we will revisit this issue repeatedly as problems arise. I would have preferred to see more Federal funding for job placement and training, for child care, and for protection during recessions. I would have preferred to increase State flexibility by giving States the option to use Federal funds to provide vouchers for children whose parents hit the time limits, rather than removing the protection of those vouchers by including a mandate against them. I have fought, unsuccessfully, for stronger nondisplacement language so that America's workers can be assured that their jobs won't be put in jeopardy. This omission still concerns me. However, this legislation is a solid start. It gives our States the tools and the flexibility they need to enact meaningful, constructive reform.”