[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 116 (Wednesday, August 17, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      INTRODUCTION OF THE WELFARE TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY ACT OF 1994

  (Mr. VOLKMER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. VOLKMER. Madam Speaker, today I rise to inform my colleagues that 
I am introducing legislation that will give Americans a hand up instead 
of a hand out. The Welfare to Self-Sufficiency Act of 1994 will end the 
quagmire that faces those now on welfare. No longer will men and women 
be trapped by a welfare system that does not reward work, promote the 
family, or instill personal responsibility. The legislation I have 
introduced will fortify these three fundamental values. It will move 
people from dependence to independence, from a welfare check to a 
paycheck, and from a sense of hopelessness to one of opportunity.
  Madam Speaker, this legislation will give people the opportunity to 
enter into individual contracts with the State not a one-size-fits-all 
plan. It encourages AFDC families to work by allowing them to keep more 
of their earned income and encourages saving by raising resource 
limits. States will have the option to implement wage supplementation 
programs in which the value of the AFDC grant and food stamp benefits 
is added to the minimum wage of the worker.
  This legislation will strengthen child support enforcement by 
referring collection of certain delinquent child support evaders to the 
IRS. Additional savings will occur by reforming and controlling the 
rate of growth in Federal payments for the administration of AFDC, the 
food stamp program, and Medicaid. Finally, illegal aliens will not be 
eligible for welfare benefits, except for emergency medical care.
  Madam Speaker, I agree with the President it is time to ``end welfare 
as we know it.'' It is time to break this cycle and pass welfare reform 
legislation that will give every American an opportunity to become 
self-sufficient.

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