[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 144 (Wednesday, September 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               ENSURING WELFARE DOLLARS ARE SPENT WISELY

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                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 26, 2007

  Mr. WELLER of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 3656, a bill to better ensure that taxpayer funds for welfare 
go to help low-income parents go to work, not to support drug habits. I 
want to thank my friend and colleague, Congressman Phil English of 
Pennsylvania, for sponsoring this legislation and I am glad to join as 
his chief co-sponsor.
  In 1996, the Republican-led Congress passed welfare reforms that 
emphasized the necessity of work to achieving economic self-
sufficiency. As a result of that historic reform, millions of families 
have moved from welfare dependence to greater self-sufficiency, 
supported by pro-work benefits including child care funds, health 
coverage, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Poverty has fallen 
dramatically, for some groups to record lows.
  But there is still more work to do. We all know that too many 
American parents remain trapped by drug addiction. H.R. 3656 is 
designed to ensure that our country sends a clearer message about the 
support available for low-income parents, and what obligations those 
parents have to stay clean and off of drugs. So this legislation builds 
upon the success of the 1996 reforms by attempting to better ensure 
federal tax dollars are spent efficiently and appropriately. Simply 
put, taxpayer money intended to provide temporary assistance to needy 
families should not be spent to subsidize drug abuse.
  H.R. 3656 expects States to test welfare recipients and applicants 
for benefits when caseworkers have reason to believe the parent is 
taking illegal drugs. Not every recipient or applicant, but those for 
who there is real cause to think that taxpayer funds might wind up 
furthering a drug habit instead of helping parents find, take and stay 
in jobs. This common-sense reform will help States identify those in 
need of substance abuse treatment, and ensure that federal funds are 
not spent buying illegal drugs.
  Madam Speaker, recently in my home state of Illinois, I had an 
opportunity to meet with members of the Marseilles Concerned Citizens 
Against Drugs, a group of citizens committed to seeing drug abuse 
removed from my community. They expressed their dismay that federal 
dollars are being spent to support an addiction which destroys lives, 
families, and communities. I couldn't agree more.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation to better ensure 
that welfare assistance is spent appropriately, and that those addicted 
to drugs be identified so they can receive the treatment needed to lead 
more productive lives. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3656.

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