[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 145 (Monday, September 18, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S13746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY CONTRACTS

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, last Wednesday, the Senate adopted 
my amendment to condition receipt of welfare benefits on signing and 
adhering to a personal responsibility contract. I was pleased that this 
important provision was added to the Work Opportunity Act. I believe it 
is critical to successful welfare reform emphasizing personal 
responsibility and common sense.
  The underlying bill required States and welfare recipients to 
negotiate personal responsibility contracts. However, there were no 
details about what that meant. Without definition, the personal 
responsibility contract could be meaningless and ineffective. Such a 
result would have been unfortunate because an effective contract has 
the potential to significantly change welfare as we know it.
  The centerpiece of the Iowa Family Investment Program is the 
requirement that individuals on welfare must sign an individualized, 
binding contract with the State outlining what they will do to get off 
of welfare. The contract would also say what services the State would 
provide to move the family off of welfare. Failure to sign a contract 
or abide by the terms of the contract would result in termination of 
welfare benefits.
  Mr. President, Iowa instituted a number of reforms in our welfare 
programs. After only 22 months of implementation, the Iowa welfare 
reform program is showing promising results. More families are working 
and earning income, there are fewer families on welfare and AFDC costs 
are declining.
  My amendment borrowed from the Iowa program and used the Iowa 
contract as a model for the Nation. A contract significantly 
strengthens accountability in the welfare system.
  I was pleased that the amendment was adopted and thank the two 
leaders for their assistance in getting my amendment approved.

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