FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2003

LARSON STATEMENT ON HOUSE GOP WELFARE BILL

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the House GOP version of welfare legislation, H.R. 4, that passed the House today.

"The Republican welfare legislation passed by the House today amounts to little more than a massive unfunded mandate that is estimated to cost the states between $8 and $11 billion. It is an unfortunate step backward from the successful welfare reform law pass in 1996. Due to these increased costs handed down by the federal government, many states may be forced to cut services for low-income families. At the same time, the legislation will also limit state's ability to provide education, job-training and child care for people leaving welfare.

"I voted for a Democratic alternative which would have expanded access to funding for education and job training, would have increased child care funding by $11 billion and would have encouraged family formation and responsible parenting through increased child-support payments to low-income families. The Democratic version would have also made reducing poverty a clear goal by rewarding states that reduce child poverty," said Larson.

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