Welfare Reform

Given the importance of the issue, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on recent action on welfare reform here in the House of Representatives.

As you may know, the House recently passed H.R. 4737, the Personal Responsibility, Work, and Family Promotion Act of 2002, with my support. This legislation builds on the revolutionary reform of welfare that Congress undertook in 1996, when we changed a system that discouraged work and hurt more families than it helped. Since the enactment of those reforms, the welfare caseload has dropped by over 50% in just five years and the program continues to help previously welfare-dependent people find meaningful employment and brighter futures.

Further strengthening the welfare system was a primary goal of Congress this year. I am pleased to say that passage of H.R. 4737 meets that goal and will provide families with the support they need. For example, an additional $2 billion will be spent on child care for welfare recipients who have jobs. Providing child care is a necessity for single parents to be able to go out and find employment, provide a stable income and allow them to leave welfare and adequately provide for their family.

Additionally, H.R. 4737 increases the work requirement from 30 hours per week in employment or job-related training, to 40 hours per week and provides grants to programs which encourage healthy, stable marriages and strong families. Be assured, I will continue to support efforts to give welfare recipients every opportunity to succeed, while ensuring that they do not become overly dependent on government assistance programs.

---

For more information, please see:

A Ticket to Independence | Welfare Success Stories