[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 14, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H3124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             WE OWE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE REAL WELFARE REFORM

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Bryant] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BRYANT of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, the 104th Congress has been 
keeping its promises. From real crime legislation to giving much-needed 
reform to Federal regulations, we are indeed keeping our promises.
  One of our promises to America has been to reform the welfare system. 
We are going to have the opportunity to change the welfare system 
within the next few weeks. I would like to share my thoughts with you 
on where welfare has been and where I would like to see it go.
  For over two years, the current administration has promised to end 
welfare as we know it. For over two years, hard-working taxpayers have 
been waiting and waiting and waiting. Now, this Congress is going to 
begin that much-needed reform.
  The current welfare system has been a tragic failure. It has 
encouraged dependency upon government, discouraged responsibility, and 
cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars.
  Part of the welfare reform process involves the food stamp reform. 
That the food stamp delivery system must be reformed, there can be no 
question. Currently there is an estimated $2 billion of fraud and abuse 
involved in the food stamp program annually.
  The people of the 7th district of Tennessee who I represent are sick 
and tired of hearing about such widespread misuse of the food stamp 
program. They are demanding change and they deserve it.
  The Food Stamp Program and Commodity Distribution Act will fight this 
abuse. It contains stricter penalties for food stamp trafficking, tough 
fines and forfeiture of ill-gotten gains. It is time we crack down 
harder on those who abuse food stamps and H.R. 1135 will do just that.
  I have always believed that the States are better able to operate the 
food stamp program. After all, the States are on the frontline, much 
more so than we here in Washington. Pending legislation will give the 
States the option and the opportunity to take their food stamp funding 
in the form of a block grant. It is my hope that the States choose this 
option. It is
 the most effective and efficient way of reform.

  Another important part of this legislation involves work 
requirements. It is neither right nor fair for those of us who choose 
to be responsible, taxpaying citizens to pay the way for someone who 
chooses to make no effort to be productive. So I don't think it is 
unreasonable to require someone to work for their benefits. H.R. 1135 
does that.
  Mr. Speaker, we owe the American people real welfare reform. The 
pending legislation will begin to provide that reform. I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 1135 as we begin considering it in the near 
future.

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