[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 29, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H5572-H5573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    STATES KNOW BEST WHEN IT COMES TO THE WELFARE OF THEIR CITIZENS

  (Mrs. SEASTRAND asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. SEASTRAND. Madam Speaker, over 200 years ago 13 States came 
together to form the foundation of a new nation. Their union was based 
on the belief that big centralized government is bad government. Today, 
37 States later, that belief is especially true when you consider 
welfare reform.
  History teaches us again and again that States know best when it 
comes

[[Page H5573]]

to the welfare of their citizens. Unfortunately, this is a lesson lost 
on President Clinton.
  When it comes to welfare waivers, the President refuses to allow 
States to do it their way. He has denied waivers outright in Illinois, 
Massachusetts, and Wyoming, and has forced other States to come to 
Washington on bended knee.
  His plan would not allow States to limit benefits to less than 5 
years nor would it provide for any new flexibility in operating child 
protection programs.
  Madam Speaker, there was a historical reason why this country was 
named the United States of America, and we should do everything in our 
power to prevent it from becoming the united state of big Bill Clinton 
government.

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