Statement by Sandra Feldman,
President of the American Federation of Teachers,
 on Responsible Welfare Reform Legislation

The House-passed welfare reform bill makes a mockery of the critical need to lift families out of poverty, which should be a central part of responsible welfare reform. It also puts at risk the jobs of experienced public employees who are on the frontline providing services to the residents of our cities and states.

Under the recently passed bill, welfare recipients will be expected to work longer hours, but no provision is made for childcare and no opportunity is provided for educational training - the real avenue out of poverty. The billâs funding is woefully inadequate, particularly with the increased need for support with the added work requirement.

The House legislation would allow governors to shift billions of dollars away from the people whom Congress intended to receive the funds. It provides little oversight of many critical programs, offering instead a glaring lack of accountability.

The Senate has the opportunity to do better and should pass responsible legislation that will protect welfare recipients with adequate supports, get people off the welfare rolls and into good jobs, and not jeopardize the jobs of thousands of qualified and dedicated public employees.

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