For 60 years the United States government has helped this country's poor people by giving them money and other assistance. This program of aird is often called welfare.
Over the years many people have complained that the welfare program is too expensive and that poor people should be made to work for the money. They should not depend on help from the government. These are some of the reasons why the Senate voted, 87 to 12, last week to change welfare.
The Senate's plan would require more poor people to work and would limit how long they could get welfare money. Also, the job of deciding who gets welfare and how they get it would be transferred from the Federal Government to each of the 50 states.
The Senate plan would save the government billions of dollars--perhaps as much as $65 billion in seven years. Cuts like this would help the government balance its budget.
Many Americans, including President Bill Clinton, believe that welfare reform is necessary. But the Senators who voted against the bill are afraid that drastic measures could end up hurting the poor, especially children.
How long can a person be on welfare?
Current Plan: No Limit
Proposed Plan: No more than five years in a lifetime
Do people on welfare have to work?
Current Plan: The U.S. government does not require it; some states do.
Proposed Plan: Half the people now on welfare in each state must have jobs by 2000.
Where do welfare funds come from?
Current Plan: The Federal Government
Proposed Plan: The states get money from the Federal
Government and make their own plans.
Can immigrants be on welfare?
Current Plan: Yes, if they entered the country legally.
Proposed Plan: States do not have to give money to people who are not U.S. citizens.