Rick Santorum on Welfare and Unemployment

New Hampshire Debate

In June of 2011, Senator Santorum participated in the Presidential debate in New Hampshire. He noted his work on welfare reform under Speaker Gingrich and President Clinton.

SANTORUM: Well, if you look at my record, I'm someone who's actually accomplished a lot on big issues. Take for example welfare reform. I was in the United States Senate and actually at the direction of Newt Gingrich I was on the Ways and Means Committee and I drafted the Contract with America Welfare Reform Bill.

It was considered this extreme measure. Well, that extreme measure we ended up winning an election and getting those seats. And that was now the starting point. And I managed that bill in the United States Senate because I cared about the dignity of every person.

I didn't believe that poverty was the ultimate disability. I believed that people could work and they could succeed. And we brought people together. I got 70 votes to end a federal entitlement -- to end a federal entitlement which was what Paul Ryan's proposed for Medicaid, he's proposed for food stamps, he's proposed for other welfare programs.

We did it. We set the template, and I led and got bipartisan support to do it.

Reagan Debate

In September of 2011, Senator Santorum participated in the Republican debate at the Reagan library. He discusses his work on previous welfare reforn and his overall views on welfare.

Huckabee Forum

In December of 2011, Senator Santorum participated in a foum that was moderated by Mike Huckabee. He speaks about his desire to see the federal components of welfare programs returned to the states and his role in the previous welfare reform.

Dartmouth Economic Debate

On October 11, 2011 Senator Santorum participated in a debate at Dartmouth University. Senator Santorum spoke there about the correlation between poverty and the family, noting that families that remained intact rarely fell into poverty.

SANTORUM: There is more to it than that. And I agree with Rick, what he said, but the biggest problem with poverty in America, and we don’t talk about here, because it’s an economic discussion - and that is the break down of the American family.

You want to look at the poverty rate among families that have two - that have a husband and wife working in them? It’s 5 percent today. A family that’s headed by one person? It’s 30 percent today. We need to do something, and we need to talk about economics. The home - the word “home” in Greek is the basis of the word “economy.” It is - it is the foundation of our country. We need to have a policy that supports families, that encourages marriage.

ROSE: All right.

SANTORUM: that has fathers take responsibility for their children. You can’t have limited government - you can’t have a wealthy society if the family breaks down, that basic unit of society. And that needs to be included in this economic discussion.

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

This representative has not been identified as sponsoring or cosponsoring significant legislation related to this title.

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