Reforming the welfare system is prominent on both the Republican and Democratic agenda. Many Republicans, including the presidential candidates, want to reduce the federal government's role in antipoverty programs and transfer most responsibility to the states. Some also favor reducing the number of recipients by imposing time limits and cutting off benefits to women who have children while on welfare. Both the House and Senate passed welfare reform bills in 1995. President Clinton has also stated his desire to reform the welfare system.

• Supports giving states flexibility to develop their own welfare policies.
• Supports work and job training requirements for welfare recipients.
• Opposes welfare reform bill passed by the House because of its provision that cuts off benefits to women who have more children while on welfare. Has expressed qualified support for slightly more moderate Senate version of the bill.

• Supports elimination of Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Supports states' handling welfare issues, such as ending benefits for women who have children while on welfare.
• Supports requiring able-bodied welfare recipients to work.
• Supports five-year welfare limit on welfare benefits.
• Supports federal government's giving block grants to states to run their own welfare programs.

Legislative Record

• Cosponsored and voted for Senate welfare reform bill (1995).