[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 54 (Thursday, March 23, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H3581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CURRENT WELFARE SYSTEM HAS NEVER WORKED

  (Mr. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, in the last few days I have seen an 
uproar from the friends on the left regarding the restructuring of the 
welfare system. I hear phrases like ``lacking compassion,'' ``mean 
spirited,'' ``cruelty to children.'' I am here to tell you that 
changing a system that does not work has nothing to do with lacking 
compassion.
  What is lacking is maintaining a welfare system that has never worked 
and has only increased dependence to ensure the survival of a political 
party, lacking in responsibility, and, yes, lacking in compassion.

                              {time}  1045

  Yes, you know, in the last 30 years the Democratically controlled 
Congress has spent over $5 trillion on welfare. In that same 30 years 
AFDC recipients have more than doubled, the number of single parents 
has tripled, food stamp recipients have quintupled, while these same 
Democrats stand up and yell about compassion.
  Today I join my fellow Americans and say we have seen the kind of 
work compassion you have offered these last 30 years. Give people back 
their dignity, give them hope, not a handout.
  Pass the Republican welfare bill.
  

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