Washington, DC—Rep. Tom Rice (SC-07) released the following statement today applauding the House on the passage of the Preserving Welfare Work Requirements Act of 2013, bipartisan legislation that preserves the 1996 welfare work requirements.  

“I supported this legislation because it preserves and strengthens our welfare system.  As public servants, we must ensure that our welfare system helps struggling Americans escape the cycle of poverty.  When reviewing this legislation, I was reminded of an old parable: when you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.  We must provide those in need with the necessary skills to get them through life and support themselves—not merely provide them with the bare minimum to get them through each day. ”

The Preserving Welfare Work Requirements Act of 2013, H.R. 890, extends the authorization of the TANF program through December 2013 and blocks the Administration’s waiver guidance, which yields less work and would decrease revenue, according to CBO.