    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [December 21, 1995]
    [Page 1916]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Welfare Reform and Budget Negotiations
    December 21, 1995

        I am disappointed that Republicans are trying to use the words
    ``welfare reform'' as cover to advance a budget plan that is at odds
    with America's values. Americans know that welfare reform is not about
    playing budget politics; it is about moving people from welfare to work.
        I am determined to work with Congress to achieve real, bipartisan
    welfare reform. But if Congress sends me this conference report, I will
    veto it and insist that they try again. This welfare bill includes deep
    cuts that are tough on children and at odds with my central goal of
    moving people from welfare to work. The Republican budget cuts in
    Medicaid and the earned-income tax credit would undermine real reform
    and penalize people who choose work over welfare.
        At a time when we are trying to engage in serious negotiations
    toward a balanced budget that is consistent with our priorities--one of
    which is to reform welfare, as last month's agreement between
    Republicans and Democrats made clear--this is a sign of bad faith by the
    Republican leadership and an affront to those in both parties who
    genuinely want to enact real reform. My administration remains ready at
    any moment to sit down in good faith with Democrats and Republicans in
    Congress to work out a real welfare reform plan.