Speaker. today I am introducing legislation to correct the fundamental flaw in the Republicans welfare reform proposal contained in the Contract With America. Their proposal would substantially undermine the public assistance program by sending block grants to the States. limiting the Federal spending. and dropping millions of children and adults from the rolls. thus jeopardizing them to a future of poverty. joblessness. and hopelessness. The Republican proposal to restructure the welfare system is fraught with provisions to exclude noncitizens from receiving many public assistance programs. For instance. they would be ineligible for Medicaid. SSI. and a variety of food. housing. and health care programs. The denial of these services to lowincome children and families is cruel and would only exacerbate their poverty and dim their hopes for a better futu.e. While there should be strong and vigorous debate on the inclusion of noncitizens. perhaps it is not clearly known that not all U.S. citizens are included in the benefits. Let me repeat this: Not all U.S. citizens are eligible for SSI. I am concerned about a major omission in the majoritys welfare reform bill. which fails to address the need for Supplemental Security Income coverage for the territories.
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noncitizens