[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H1400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         FIX THE WELFARE SYSTEM

  (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, the existing welfare system is a mess. It 
hurts the very people that it is supposed to help. In 1992, President 
Clinton campaigned on a pledge to end welfare as we know it. Remember 
that? Now, after 3 years of the Clinton Presidency, he has not lifted a 
finger to do anything about the failed welfare state. It is true that 
he has talked about the values of work and family, but if we examine 
the record, the President has not signed into law any reform of 
welfare. In fact, he vetoed the only genuine welfare reform bill to 
pass this Congress in a generation.
  The President is now in the midst of backing away from the compromise 
welfare agreement passed unanimously by the National Governors' 
Association, both Democratic and Republican Governors. He had 
originally praised the plan as a huge step in the right direction. It 
is time for the President to cut the cord with the special interest 
groups, the liberal groups, and to help us fix the failed welfare 
system in this country.

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