Martin Sabo

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chairman, if I might inquire of the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, we are curious if there is a final version of the bill and if there is a final summary of the last minute changes?

Mr. SABO. Well, it has been substantially changed since it came through the Committee on the Budget. Many of us are curious what the final form of the bill is. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Woolsey]. (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

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

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Archer] be allowed to control the time for the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Kasich] temporarily and be allowed to yield time.

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

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas [Mr. Stenholm]. (Mr. STENHOLM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from New York [Mrs. Lowey].

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

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, how much time is remaining on both sides?

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

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

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee]. (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Neal] who has worked very hard on the issue of welfare reform.

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I rise in opposition.

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

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Hefner].

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from Florida [Mrs. Thurman].

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.

Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, if the majority leader would yield, my understanding is that the rule is likely to have 2 hours of general debate for tomorrow also; is that accurate?

Mr. SABO. And 1 hour on the Castle-Tanner substitute?

Mr. SABO

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute and 30 seconds. Madam Chairman, as a State legislator in the 1970's, I regularly came to Washington to participate in meetings on welfare reform. It is something we have understood that needed to be done for many, many years, but there is a right way to do it and there is a wrong way to do it. Unfortunately, the majority Republican plan is one that does it the wrong way. It is weak on work and it punishes children. Tomorrow we will have an opportunity to vote for a better alternative. The Castle-Tanner substitute, a genuine effort by some Democrats to work with some Members of the Republican side to develop a truly bipartisan plan. It is a plan that is fairer to children, tougher in requiring people to go to work, understands the diversity of this country, requires States to maintain their efforts, rather than allowing the States to pull billions of dollars out of the program, as the Republican plan does. Madam Chairman, this country would be well-served if tomorrow a majority of this House in a bipartisan fashion would vote for the bipartisan substitute amendment that is going to be offered.

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, how much time remains on both sides?

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to yield my first 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Roybal-Allard] and that she have the authority to yield time.

Mr. SABO. Madam Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Stenholm, and that Mr. Stenholm have authority to yield to other Members.