Speaker. I have recently had the opportunity to be involved with an excellent group of Republican colleagues in preparing a comprehensive welfare reform proposal which 160 Republican Members have cosponsored. This bill defines welfare reform for the Nation as more work. less spending. dramatically greater flexibility for the States And restricted welfare for noncitizens. While our bill is a logical extension of the family support act. it is in fact. and perhaps more importantly. an attempt to do nationally what has worked on the State level in Delaware. Just as Delawares first step training program linked welfare assistance to academic. employment and life skills training. this bill requires the same and empowers individuals and families for that first step toward economic independence. and selfworth. More than 2.100 individuals have been able to use that experience as a foundation to greater selfreliance and selfesteem. 1.500 of whom have been able to leave welfare rolls entirely. Our bill has other equally important provisions. from emphasizing the responsibility of fathers to support their children. to establishing tough new standards to combat illegitimate births. to ending welfare for most noncitizens and providing greater State control and flexibility. I look forward to working in the same bipartisan manner in which we dealt with NAFTA with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and the administration on this crucial reform effort.
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noncitizens