Strengthening Welfare Empowers Americans

www.MajorityLeader.gov
February 13, 2003

WASHINGTON - House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) today said it was important the House of Representatives pass a welfare reform plan that empowers families and promotes independence through work.

"We believe that for people in need, it's the job of the federal government to empower people mired in dependency to determine their own destiny," DeLay said. "We understand that people who need a hand-up still aspire to pursue their American dream."

"But the critics still don't trust people to make this vital transition to independence themselves. They just don't get the downside to dependency."

Republicans, following the lead of President George Bush, are seeking to build on the success of the 1996 law by strengthening work requirements and providing additional money for childcare. The bill is one of the top priorities to for the administration and Congress. The House passed the welfare reform bill today that closely tracks the president's proposal and the Senate is expected to take it up in the coming weeks.

The bill:

• Increases work requirement to require welfare recipients work a 40 hour work week or job preparation activities
• Provides $300 million per year for premarital education
• Gives health benefits to those leaving welfare and increases childcare funding for low-income working families