[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 12, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H14265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                REPUBLICAN BUDGET PUNISHES POOR CHILDREN

  (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to taking care of children, 
the Gingrich welfare reform bill says, if you are a poor kid, do not 
get sick. Because we learned today that the Speaker does not have any 
qualms about taking away children's health insurance. In fact, his 
welfare reform bill takes Medicaid from AFDC recipients.
  This hits home to me, because 28 years ago I was forced to go on 
welfare to provide my three children with the medical coverage and the 
health coverage they needed through Medicaid. I know what it is like to 
lie awake at night, worried to death that one of my children might get 
sick.
  Mr. Speaker, I will not stand by quietly as the Speaker of the House 
tries to force this agony on other mothers, other mothers who are 
trying so hard to do what is best for their children.
  Mr. Speaker, welfare reform is not supposed to be about punishing 
poor children. It is about improving their lives by giving their 
parents the education, the job training and the child care needed to 
get a job so that they can stay off welfare permanently.

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