[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 15, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H2477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUPPORT WELFARE REFORM

  (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, helping the American people is why many of 
us ran for Congress. I think life is getting better in America every 
day, but there are still people who are having a tough time making ends 
meet. We need to help as many of those people who are truly in need as 
we can. I think the welfare reform bill we have before us today will 
help those people by giving them the tools they need to make their 
dreams become a reality.
  Since 1994, welfare caseloads have fallen by 9 million. Today, only 
about 2 percent of the population of the United States is on welfare. 
With this bill, we can reduce this number even further by helping 
people become productive. As a body, I believe we need to do what is 
best for this great country. Voting for this bill is a vote for a 
better and stronger Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues who supported the successful 1996 
bill to keep up the good work and vote for this landmark reform 
legislation, and I urge those who voted ``no'' last time to take 
another look. You cannot argue with success. Let us put our people 
before politics. Vote ``yes'' for H.R. 4700, the Personal 
Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2002.

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