[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H5385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                             WELFARE REFORM

  (Mr. GUTKNECHT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, as I speak, literally millions of 
Americans are trapped in a cycle of dependence known as the modern 
welfare state. It is a system characterized by drug abuse, 
fatherlessness, violence, and the wholesale destruction of the family. 
The welfare state encourages teen pregnancy and destroys the work 
ethic.
  People have literally lost their freedom and their self-respect 
because of the so-called compassion of Washington's liberals.
  When he ran for the Presidency, Bill Clinton said that he would end 
welfare as we know it. Instead he vetoed commonsense welfare reform, 
not once, but twice. As we've seen in so many other instances, his word 
cannot be trusted. Bill Clinton is playing politics with the lives of 
millions of Americans. His broken word guarantees the survival of the 
failed welfare system.
  Mr. Speaker, when it comes to reforming welfare, our President is the 
great pretender.

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