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Rep. Tom Graves, (R-GA), on efforts to block Obama’s changes to welfare reform.
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Hello everyone I'm Gerri Willis the president's fighting to make welfare easier to get the Republicans aren't taking it lying down.
A group of 76 GOP representatives have -- a letter to the administration.
Demanding they justify their authority to make these changes without Congress's consent.
And the house could be voting on a bill to block Obama's welfare changes as early as next week.
Joining me now Republican congressman Tom graves from Georgia the leader in the fight to protect welfare reform welcome to the show congressman.
Tell me what are you expecting to hear from the health and human services secretary.
Was it now where really heard any thing and I expect there will get the silent treatment as always let.
Personally I mean -- -- got a great job reporting on this and I -- you viewers -- -- read your blog which gives a great account of what's occurred here.
And how much the federal government has expanded and how the results have been so -- And now we have the presence -- that his administration.
Stepping sidestepping the -- the land and trying to expand welfare state and we're just not gonna let it happen well pushing back.
To that and you've sent a letter 76 I guess all told -- -- Requesting information where the authority comes -- for the administration to remove their work requirements from welfare.
Let's put this into perspective the work requirement was the reform to welfare.
They actually got people off the rolls it shrunk the program it made it more effective.
Fewer children are in poverty do you expect the administration to back office.
Well I hope they do has to my expectations they they put me down several times that I've had expectations of what they'll do but.
You're absolutely right media had a positive effect on poverty and in the United States when it was first signed in the law by President Bill Clinton.
And that's something that we should continue encourages that you you work I mean that is something even the president has said in 2008.
That was one of his.
Philosophies when it came -- social programs -- the United States well workers were.
Then let me read a quote from the president this is from back in 2008.
At the saddleback presidential debate he said this welfare reform works better than I think a lot of people and anticipated.
One of the things I'm absolutely convinced that was we have we have to work as a centerpiece of any social policy.
Why do you think.
Why do you think he changed his mind.
What -- the coincidence of what he said then and where we are today there seems to have been an election looming in 2008 and an election looming here this year's well so.
I'm not sure if this politically motivated or not but the bottom line is one of the results wanna -- Food stamps have you have nearly double the United States under his administration welfare spending has.
Increased 40% in the united stay well send absolutely the jobless rate is is gotten worse.
You know the numbers here the federal deficit one point 17 trillion welfare spending almost that.
-- -- a shade under a trillion dollars and you know we're not making the point here -- I don't think you would either congressman that.
People who deserve welfare not get welfare.
We're just saying let's make it the most efficient productive program we -- the does the best for the American people are right.
-- you're absolutely right I think he was designed in a way to help.
Those who are in need transition.
Back into the workforce and to help them when that transition along with their communities their churches their families but it was never meant to supplement for -- or for a paycheck.
And I hope the president's legacy is not one in which he supports welfare check.
Over paychecks Americans for better than.
-- you know we got four straight years of trillion dollar deficits we've got another one shaping up right now.
We have to make some serious decisions about how we're gonna spend money in this country is this one of the programs that needs to be downsized.
Why I think did what -- downsize or not -- mean ultimately it's it's a big problem that is not encouraging.
Puts -- in the workforce which expands the economy and makes it better and that helps everyone else infected makes poverty worse -- American because whenever you're.
Paying out money out of federal government for welfare checks or whatever it might be.
You're taking from someone else through taxes and so -- and only lowers income for somebody else to spread it out elsewhere.
And it's you know there's certainly something in my opinion is not the right path.
And and that's why were.
Introducing legislation we've sent the letter to the secretary -- continue fighting on the.
Well and just -- expand the point here because I think a lot of people think about welfare.
They think about the old fashioned welfare program right but in fact there are -- 126.
Welfare programs.
This includes everything from snap which is food stamps.
One in seven Americans on food stamps to the old fashioned welfare program housing aid you name it's -- is really out there.
At the end of the day do we need all these programs take part -- be should they be streamlined in some -- so we really have a handle on what we're spending.
By the and it's a great arguments -- -- to be made right there -- 126.
Different programs.
From the federal government that doesn't even include what happens in the on the state levels throughout the United States have.
Obviously be the federal government's expanded the welfare state in his tried to insert itself into the lives of Americans all across this country.
Him ultimately what's happening here is that they're now there's been an increased dependency on government.
And that is something that I know you don't support I don't support I think most Americans don't support.
But the president has laid that to and that path -- force to be a nation of dependency in this dependency on government.
Well congressman great thanks for coming -- tonight really appreciate your time you'll have to let us know how -- -- best.
Would do it thank you hear that.
