    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [July 16, 1996]
    [Page 1130]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Memorandum on the Work Requirements Initiative
    July 16, 1996

    Memorandum for the Secretary of Health and Human Services

    Subject: Work Requirements Initiative

        I hereby direct you, in order to move people from welfare to work,
    to exercise your legal authority to propose a regulation that would
    require all welfare participants in the Job Opportunities and Basic
    Skills Training (JOBS) program to sign a personal responsibility plan
    for working within 2 years. After 2 years, any such JOBS participant who
    refuses to work, even though a job is available, will be sanctioned by
    loss of her AFDC benefits.
        Welfare reform is first and foremost about work. People who are able
    to work should be expected to go to work. This proposed regulation will
    dramatically change expectations for welfare recipients and welfare
    agencies, ensuring that finding work quickly becomes their primary goal.

                                                          William J. Clinton