Martin Sabo

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida [Mrs. Thurman].

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm].

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 2 minutes. Mr. Speaker, there is no denying that we must make needed changes to our welfare system to make it more efficient and fair for the American people. In doing so, we should emphasize personal responsibility, and we should honor work. But we should not shred the entire safety net in the process. It would be unconscionable of this Congress to, in the name of reform, pass a welfare bill that drives millions of children into poverty. It would be equally irresponsible to simply push Federal welfare responsibilities off on State and local governments which may or may not have the resources to care for those truly in need. That is why I am offering this motion to instruct conferees today. House conferees should use this opportunity to negotiate with the Senate and with the President to ensure that millions of children are not pushed into poverty because of the welfare changes enacted by this Congress. We should also ensure that we do not overwhelm the ability of States and localities to deliver needed welfare services. We must reform our welfare system, but we must not do it in a fashion that increases child poverty or increases the burden on State and local government. Also, Mr. Speaker, it should be clear that any savings that result from this legislation should go for deficit reduction, not for other purposes.

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota [Mr. Pomeroy].

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New York [Mr. Rangel]. (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California [Mr. Fazio].

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield myself 30 seconds. Madam Chairman, I would indicate to the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Shaw] that all the EITC changes in Castle-Tanner rely on compliance. None of them change the phase-out rates as proposed originally by the House Republican plan. Those are not included in Castle-Tanner. Fortunately, you have pulled those provisions out of your bill but they are scheduled to reappear in your budget resolution in reconciliation bill No. 3, and then some further additional cuts in EITC even beyond what you did in this bill originally. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Olver]. (Mr. OLVER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Levin].

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut [Mrs. Kennelly].

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island [Mr. Kennedy]

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Washington [Mr. McDermott]. (Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters].

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute to say I find it very unfortunate when we compare legal immigrants in this country with prisoners and put them in the same category. In fact I find it sort of personal. My parents were both immigrants to this country. I remember when my mother became a citizen. I also hear this discussion of nothing has ever been given or done in conjunction with legal immigrants. My father was a homesteader. That was how he and many other immigrants got started in this country, and they worked hard and did well. But regardless of how one feels on this question, to rhetorically combine legal immigrants with prisoners I think is totally unfortunate. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer]. (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida [Mrs. Meek]. (Mrs. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his answer.

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, is what the gentleman is saying that this bill will mean a significant transfer from Federal resources to obligations on the local property tax?

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes and 30 seconds to the distinguished gentleman from California [Mr. Waxman].

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton].

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Cardin].

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from North Carolina [Mrs. Clayton].

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Payne].

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Ford].

Mr. SABO. Is there a summary of the last minute changes that were made?

Mr. SABO. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.