August 1, 2006
Welfare Reform Turns Ten: Evidence Shows Reduced Dependence, Poverty
By Christine Kim and Robert Rector
(WebMemo #1183)
By a variety of measures, the 1996 welfare reform succeeded.

July 19, 2006
The Impact of Welfare Reform
By Robert Rector
(Testimony )
Ten years ago, when the welfare reform legislation was signed into law, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D–NY) proclaimed the new law to be "the most ...

February 7, 2006
Congress Re-Starts Welfare Reform
By Robert Rector
(WebMemo #991)
The next step in the revolution in welfare policy that began in 1996.

February 10, 2005
Welfare Reform and The Healthy Marriage Initiative
By Robert Rector
(Testimony )
The erosion of marriage during the past four decades has had large-scale negative effects on both children and adults: It lies at the heart of ...

February 10, 2004
Welfare Reform: Progress, Pitfalls, and Potential
By Robert E. Rector
(WebMemo #421)
To ensure that reform is sustained and strengthened, action must be taken to promote three elements that have provided a gateway from poverty and dependency: ...

July 21, 2003
Under Senate Bill, Welfare Recipients Who Refuse to Work Would Still Get Cash Benefits
By Jason Turner and Robert E. Rector
(Backgrounder #1669)
Legislation passed by the House of Representatives would require all states to impose meaningful sanctions on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families recipients who fail to ...

February 6, 2003
The Continuing Good News About Welfare Reform
By Robert Rector and Patrick F. Fagan
(Backgrounder #1620)
When Congress reauthorizes Temporary Assistance to Needy Families this year, it should ensure that all able-bodied welfare recipients are required to work or undertake other ...

September 27, 2002
Despite Recession, Black Child Poverty Plunges to All-Time Historic Low
By Robert E. Rector
(Backgrounder #1595)
The record of the past six years indicates that welfare reform should be strengthened and expanded. The evidence demonstrates that, with welfare reform, our nation ...

September 19, 2002
Six Myths About Child Care
By Brian M. Riedl
(Backgrounder #1588)
If welfare reform is to continue and expand, additional funding for child care must be provided. However, as in the past, most of this funding ...

September 3, 2002
The Baucus "WORK" Act of 2002: Repealing Welfare Reform
By Robert E.Rector
(Backgrounder #1580)
The 1996 welfare reform has been one of the greatest success stories in public. Policymakers should resist all efforts to turn back the clock on ...

July 12, 2002
Myths and Facts: Why Successful Welfare Reform Must Strengthen Work Requirements
By Brian M. Riedl and Robert E. Rector
(Backgrounder #1568)
Work is the only way to escape the cycle of poverty, and work requirements must be enforced if they are to play a meaningful role ...

July 11, 2002
Welfare Reform: More Work to be Done
By The Heritage Foundation
(WebMemo #125)
The underlying principle of welfare reform, that people deserve the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families, motivates more reform efforts. The appropriate response ...

July 11, 2002
Welfare Quotes: They Said It
By The Heritage Foundation
(WebMemo #126)
Opponents of the 1996 welfare reform legislation mounted aggressive attacks claiming the bill would hurt and impoverish millions of children and single mothers. Indeed, the ...

June 13, 2002
Don't Let California and New York Undermine Welfare Reform's Work Requirements
By Jason Turner
(Executive Memorandum #819)
True welfare reform means requiring that recipients engage in constructive activities leading to self-sufficiency, not merely suggesting that they do so.

May 29, 2002
Continuing to Transform Welfare: The Next Bold--and Compassionate--Step
By The Honorable Tommy G. Thompson
(Heritage Lecture #747)
True welfare reform is about empowerment: about helping everyone gain a firm foothold on the solid ground of personal opportunity, professional advancement, and a healthy ...

April 11, 2002
Proposed Changes to Current Law, TANF Program
By Jason Turner
(Testimony )
The tremendous success of PWRORA at helping families achieve self-sufficiency has reduced the level of state and local funds necessary to provide benefit payments. The ...

April 9, 2002
Effective Work Programs
By Jason Turner
(Testimony )
In conclusion, the tremendous success of PWRORA at helping families achieve self-sufficiency has reduced the level of state and local funds necessary to provide benefit ...

September 20, 2001
The Good News About Welfare Reform
By Robert E. Rector
(Testimony )
The current indifference and hostility to marriage in the welfare system is a national disgrace. In reauthorizing TANF, Congress must make the rebuilding of marriage ...

March 15, 2001
The Effects of Welfare Reform
By Robert E. Rector
(Testimony )
The intention of welfare programs is to benefit low income Americans, especially children. Yet the evidence indicates that children and parents are actively harmed rather ...

September 9, 1999
Welfare Reform and the Decline of Dependence
By Robert E. Rector
(Testimony )
During the past three years, national caseloads in the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program have fallen greatly.

May 11, 1999
The Determinants of Welfare Caseload Decline
By Robert E. Rector and Sarah E. Youssef
(Center for Data Analysis Report #99-04)
During the past three years, national caseloads in the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program have fallen by 37 percent.

March 6, 1997
The Good News About Welfare Reform: Wisconsin's Success Story
By Governor Tommy Thompson (R-WI) and Dr. William J. Bennett
(Heritage Lecture #593)
Governor Tommy Thompson (R-WI) and Dr. William J. Bennett comment on much needed welfare reform.

March 4, 1997
Wisconsin's Welfare Miracle
By Robert E. Rector
(Backgrounder )
Wisconsin has shown the way to welfare reform; it is now up to rest of the nation to apply the lessons learned.

March 18, 1996
Yet Another Sham Welfare Reform: Examining the NGA Plan
By Robert E. Rector
(Backgrounder #1075)
The welfare "reform" proposed by the National Governors' Association is, in reality, an anti-reform.

December 4, 1995
Why Congress Must Reform Welfare
By Robert E. Rector
(Backgrounder #1063)
Higher welfare payments do not assist children; they increase dependence and illegitimacy, which have a devastatingly negative effect on children's development.

August 4, 1995
Which Will Survive: The Welfare State or the Republican Revolution?
By Attorney General John Ashcroft
(Heritage Lecture #539)
The Republican's sucesses in Congress could be seriously compromised if we fail to fundamentally dismantle and replace the current Washington-based, one-size-fits-all, micromanaged welfare system.