[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 55 (Friday, March 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 23, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4) to 
     restore the American family, reduce illegitimacy, control 
     welfare spending, and reduce welfare dependence:

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, we all agree that reform of the welfare 
system is long overdue. The current system is costing billions of 
dollars and is not solving the problem. It does not put people to work 
but instead has created an unhealthy cycle of dependency.
  In reforming the welfare system, our focus must be on moving people 
into real jobs. I will vote against the Republican bill for many 
reasons--but primarily because it makes no guarantee that welfare 
recipients will move into work.
  Under that bill, there is less accountability for the dollars spent 
than under the current system. They do nothing to improve access to and 
the quality of existing education and training, so that people have the 
skills they need to get a job. The majority's bill moves to the 
extreme--and will only create another system that fails families and 
taxpayers by creating a whole class of women and children with no hope 
of becoming self-sufficient.
  The Deal substitute provides a balance in this debate. It is tough on 
work, requiring participants to establish contracts detailing what they 
will actually do to secure private sector employment. The substitute 
provides a serious deadline: Participants can participate in a workfare 
program for 2 years. After 2 years are up, States have some flexibility 
to work with these populations--but ultimately people must work, or 
they lose their cash benefits. The Deal substitute also provides States 
with resources to improve existing workfare systems, so that 
participants actually attain the skills they need to get and hold a 
job. Without those skills, any employer will tell you, they just won't 
find work.
  The Deal amendment provides State resources for child care, so 
families can work while ensuring adequate care for their children. The 
Deal
 amendment preserves the nutrition programs that are essential 
underpinning for the health of our Nation's children. The Deal 
amendment includes tough provisions to strengthen the current child 
support enforcement system so that millions of young people will be 
supported by parents who have the means to do so--instead of being 
supported by taxpayers. Finally, the Deal amendment helps address the 
crisis of teenage pregnancy and provides communities with the resources 
they need to prevent teenage pregnancy.

  In short, the Deal substitute provides sensible responses to the 
American public's demand for reform, but does not in the process hurt 
vulnerable children or simply shift costs to other programs.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Deal substitute. We must reform 
the welfare system to move people from welfare to work. We cannot 
afford to fail.
  I request unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks.
  

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