FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 18, 1996
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC -- “Welfare reform is long overdue,” said Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) today following his votes in favor of both the GOP welfare reform plan and the Democratic substitute.
“Most Minnesotans recognize that the current welfare system has failed. Either one of the plans I voted for today would go a long way towards repairing the damage,” Peterson said.
The GOP welfare reform plan that passed the House today eliminates AFDC and three related programs, and replaces them with a new block grant, essentially turning the major cash welfare programs over to the states. The plan prohibits states from using the block grant funds to provide cash welfare payments to families with no minor children, to families that have additional children while on welfare, and to parents that do not cooperate on child support.
“States are also prohibited from using these funds to provide benefits to unmarried parents under age 18 who do not live with an adult and stay in school,” Peterson added. “This may seem harsh at first, but the truth is if young men and women with children stay in school, they are far more likely to get off welfare and get a job.”
Paternity establishment is also a requirement for receiving welfare benefits. In addition, the plan requires recipients to go to work within two years, and generally limits benefits to a maximum of five years.
“All states and communities are different, and this bill will give them the flexibility to create tailor-made programs that will work for them,” Peterson said. “The plan will also give people who are living off of welfare the push they need to break the welfare cycle and take control of their lives and their futures.”