[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 21, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H3336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             WELFARE REFORM

  (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, today we take up the welfare reform bill 
sponsored by our Republican colleagues. This would end cash assistance 
for mothers, children, and legal immigrants.
  Last week my own cardinal for the archdiocese of Detroit said this: 
``The measure of any such reforms will be whether or not they enhance 
the lives and dignity of poor children and their families.''
  The truth is that these welfare reform proposals fail the cardinal's 
test and they fail the test which was set forth by the Catholic 
archbishops and bishops last week. Almost $70 billion will be removed 
from welfare programs; $2.2 million legal immigrants will lose 
eligibility; 6 million needy children will lose their cash support; 
65,000 children in my own State will lose their lunch money.
  The Republicans cut money but they do nothing to improve the way the 
welfare reform programs operate. That is not reform. It is wrong. It is 
mean-spirited.
  These programs have flaws. They should be corrected. Protect the 
children. Be fair. Respect the dignity of human beings.

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