[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2319]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             WELFARE REFORM

  (Mr. PITTENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTENGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address one of the 
Nation's greatest concerns: welfare reform.
  America's most important resource is our people. The last thing we 
want any of our citizens to believe is that they are forever stuck in a 
situation that they cannot rise above.
  Welfare reform was originally successful because it required work in 
return for assistance, gave more power and responsibility to the States 
in fighting poverty, and ensured that States were rewarded for reducing 
poverty instead of increasing dependency.
  Today, given the slow growth of our economy, many job seekers become 
frustrated when they are unable to find adequate work. This creates a 
system where many become trapped and dependent on State and Federal 
assistance.
  Solutions to welfare reform have to come from a local level, not from 
Washington. It is imperative that we encourage family values and 
education more than anything.
  Washington's primary role is to strengthen the economy, facilitate 
growth, and encourage a positive business climate, thus creating jobs 
and reducing dependency on State programs.

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