John Ashcroft on Welfare & Poverty Former Attorney General; Former Republican Senator (MO)

Allow states to contract with charitable organizations

Major Accomplishments in the U.S. Senate: WELFARE
• Helped author comprehensive welfare reform that has reduced the national welfare rolls by 50% since 1997. (P.L. 104-193, 1996)
  
• Authored the Charitable Choice provision of the landmark 1996 welfare reform law, allowing states to contract with charitable organizations and faith-based charities to provide social and community services. (P.L. 104-193, 1996)

Charitable Choice helps break cycle of poverty

A. I worked in Congress to pass historic welfare reform legislation which gives states greater flexibility to design and implement welfare programs that help individuals break free from the cycle of poverty and move from dependence to independence. As a result, welfare rolls have been reduced by 45%. We should continue to look for ways to help families with children escape poverty, such as inviting the participation of charitable and faith-based organizations to assist poor children. This initiative, known as “charitable choice,” was a provision I authored in the 1996 welfare reform law that has been very successful in reaching impoverished children.

Voted YES on welfare block grants.

Voted NO on eliminating block grants for food stamps.

Voted YES on allowing state welfare waivers.

Voted YES on welfare overhaul.