[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 31, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H9383-H9384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 NOT ONE LOGICAL REASON FOR THE PRESIDENT NOT TO SIGN CONGRESS' THIRD 
                          WELFARE REFORM BILL

  (Mr. SMITH of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our children are our country's most 
precious resource. They are the hope of the future. But today many 
children will grow up in a cycle of poverty and dependence, and that is 
a tragedy, Mr. Speaker.
  Many of us came to Congress on a promise to do something about the 
failed welfare state. We want to end dependency, we want to encourage 
personal responsibility, we want to honor work so that welfare does not 
become a way of life.
  President Clinton has already vetoed two welfare reform bills despite 
the promise during his campaign to, ``end welfare as we know it.'' the 
jury is still out on whether or not the President will sign Congress' 
third effort to reform the welfare system. Personally, I cannot imagine 
one logical reason why Mr. Clinton would not sign the current bill.

[[Page H9384]]

  Mr. Speaker, it is a good bill. It is based on common sense. It 
honors work, family, and personal responsibility.

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