U.S. Rep. Todd Young (R-IN) marked the 20th anniversary of welfare reforms on Monday by reflecting on his efforts to help lift families out of poverty and achieve financial independence.
For years, Young said, he has advanced an evidence-based approach to welfare reform that is designed to reward programs that achieve meaningful results.
“Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed legislation I authored that would put this new outcomes-based funding approach into practice,” Young said. “The legislation, titled the Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act, is designed to fundamentally change the way the federal government addresses our nation’s most intractable challenges, whether it be poverty, homelessness, drug abuse, youth unemployment, etc.”
The idea behind social impact partnerships, Young added, is that government dollars are paid out after “rigorous independent evaluation” confirms that a program achieves its desired outcomes.
“By only funding what works, social impact partnerships end ineffective programs that fail to improve the lives of individuals they are intended to help,” Young said. “This innovative approach enjoys bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress—support I attribute to designing the legislation in such a way so as to bridge gap between those who think we should be doing more to help those in need versus those who think the government already does too much, with little to show for it.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY), meanwhile, renewed his call for bipartisan efforts to reduce poverty.
“We care about those struggling in poverty,” Reed said. “As the youngest of 12, being raised by a single mom, we know how difficult those challenges can be. That’s why it’s only right that we come together with our partners across the aisle to make efforts to develop lasting reforms that elevate people out of poverty, and not trap them in a downward cycle.”
Reed highlighted the efforts of House Republicans to achieve meaningful welfare reforms through the “A Better Way” policy agenda, which emphasizes skill development and job training, fraud reduction, reducing waste and abuse, and achieving positive outcomes from federal funding.
“The best thing we can do is stand by the American work ethic,” Reed said. “If we encourage work, and help people get the skills they need to succeed so they can have the dignity that comes from an honest living, we are going to change lives for the better, permanently. There are situations in life that can bring us to our knees, but together we can help each other get back on our feet.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) said that the 1996 welfare reforms were “an impressive moment in our nation’s history” and led to policies that have helped millions of Americans.
“With the Obama administration’s efforts to roll back progress and weaken the positive reforms already made, we must restore what’s been lost and move forward,” Price, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, said. “There is more to be done to improve our nation’s safety-net programs so that every one of our fellow citizens who are struggling today can find opportunity and a path to a life of self-sufficiency. As before, House Republicans are leading the way. We are putting forward common sense policy proposals that would empower individuals and families, promote the value of work, provide states the flexibility to address the unique needs of their communities, and much more.”