Jay Rockefeller: “I believe our welfare system desperately needs reform, and most Americans agree. It is obvious that there is a strong…”

“I believe our welfare system desperately needs reform, and most Americans agree. It is obvious that there is a strong consensus that parents seeking public assistance must be required to work or prepare for work. I wish it were more obvious that innocent children should be protected, and I have worked hard to make this case over the years as welfare reform has been debated. As Governor of West Virginia in 1982, I started one of the first workfare programs of the country because I believe in work, and I am proud that West Virginia continues to use this community work program today. I have met parents who are proud to do community service and who have used their experience to gain skills that ultimately got them a paying job. This is what we should do. Moving from welfare dependency to work is hard, but it is the best path for families and their future. While the debate about welfare reform is full of slogans and simplistic claims, it is far from easy to achieve the fundamental goals of promoting work and protecting children.”