[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
             WELFARE INNOVATION AND EMPOWERMENT ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 1994

  Mr. ANDREWS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of myself, Mr. 
Weldon, and Mr. Kolbe, I wish to introduce the ``Welfare Innovation and 
Empowerment Act of 1994.''
  This bipartisan welfare reform bill is distinctly different. It would 
give the people closest to our welfare problems--those at the State and 
local level--the authority to develop solutions that make the system 
work better for those who rely on it and those who pay for it.
  Our objectives under the bill are simple. We want to unleash our 
Nation's best problem solvers--our Governors, mayors, and county 
officials--to develop innovative programs for moving people from 
welfare to work. We want to empower low-income individuals to save 
money and invest it in their own futures. And, we want to strengthen 
families.
  The Welfare Innovation and Empowerment Act of 1994 will do the 
following:
  Grant States the authority to consolidate various streams of Federal 
welfare funding--AFDC, Food Stamps, Medicaid, housing assistance, child 
care assistance, et cetera--for the purpose of converting these funds 
into wages or other benefits provided to individuals and families 
participating in welfare-to-work programs.
  Create a streamlined, one-step process for State waiver requests 
necessary to implement welfare-to-work demonstration programs.
  Enable low-income individuals to save money for education, 
microenterprise development, first home purchase, and other select 
uses, without losing their welfare benefits.
  Remove or modify current provisions of law that weaken families and 
perpetuate welfare dependency.
  We believe that this bill will create an environment where State and 
local innovation will flourish and welfare recipients will be given 
their best shot at achieving self sufficiency.

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