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Obama, Romney campaigns trade blows over welfare reform

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    Policy experts weigh in on claims

  • Duration 7:09
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July 12 and Obama quietly ended work requirements -- -- He wouldn't have to work and wouldn't have to train for a job.

Mitt Romney probably.

Few things getting as much attention and reaction in this election.

As governor Romney's ads blasting President Obama on welfare.

-- the president's reelection team and fact checkers in the mainstream media claims are false.

And to gross distortion of the facts.

Or are -- -- Our next two guests not just your ordinary experts on us.

-- Musharraf is attorney and at school a public policy professor at the University of Maryland.

He met with Hillary Clinton just before the president President Clinton passed the 1996.

Law requiring work for welfare.

And Russell Sykes is a senior fellow at the empire center he administered.

New York State's welfare to work programs for years gentlemen welcome it's a pleasure to have you here so.

-- hopefully you can help.

Even me understand this because it's -- it's sort of a difficult concept but under President Clinton.

He passed a law that required -- -- work for welfare he wanted to prevent people.

Who just didn't really want to -- an employer.

From sitting at home and collecting welfare check it was saying you gotta get out there and you -- do certain number of hours of work and that's the only way we're gonna give you welfare check exposed to via.

A help a hand up.

Not a hand out.

And now let me start with you and this Russell what exactly has President Obama done to that.

Police issued a guidance basically just -- -- -- that they can circumvent of those.

Those rules in many ways they use the term in the guidance.

That they can be -- are in glue or apartments at least several times on the document which means that mr.

The very clear responsibility personal responsibility expectation that if -- on welfare.

Didn't have a job that you were able -- at least half of the caseload that -- that what's the definition have to look for work.

I -- work I trained for work and then now is it a -- -- weren't using Fuzzy your language about back.

That the Obama administration must -- -- is now wrestled the Obama administration says now we are trying to increase work under the program.

Not secrets and we heard from President Clinton.

Last week in Charlotte they say this is basically just trying to give states more flexibility.

In helping families get since it to get to a place where they can find work is that true.

I think I think frankly it is too interesting responses -- -- -- the authority to do this so all the law and using illegal backdoor which is what they did why didn't they do -- in 2008.

And secondly I think I don't think it really is true they talk about things that mr.

Will be more classroom and education were used to vote -- or cooperation of other -- worst components.

All of which seemed to hearken back to the days -- won the 1996 law where people could -- In settings that didn't really have a -- of -- job except -- and then so we know it works the best avenue out of poverty and states that have gotten it right.

I don't recognize there will always be low wage workers and -- -- the nerve -- through things like the earned income tax credit and many other things that -- -- -- job that would be about eight or even our jobs.

And -- into -- is around 33000 dollars a year -- that's what we -- when -- -- we put people to work because there are better off than being on welfare.

Douglas what do you make -- -- because political fact which is an independent group it raided these attacks as pants on fire saying it just blatantly not -- That -- Obama trying to strip the work requirement out of the welfare loss.

-- sometimes these -- political facts folks they just get it wrong they asked a former Republican staffer on the hill.

About this provision and he said oh yes the law this this new provision that they proposed would give them the ability -- got welfare.

But the Obama administration would never got welfare I don't believe they would do that.

Well send Senator Obama was against the welfare bill many of the people in the administration.

Are not supporters of the welfare -- they believe in using everything but the mandatory work our approach to welfare reform.

So I think that the fact -- is just got this one wrong.

See you think in giving these states more flexibility.

The Obama administration is about to give them up pass on the work requirements.

Well the whole idea of the welfare reform law what's the take flexibility away from states frankly.

-- because too many states had been offering the job training games.

Life skills training lord knows what else.

Smoking -- -- personal journal lean weight loss promotion those are some of the examples.

About people -- in some of the more -- states meeting the work require parent.

You got they used to be called not welfare junkies but job training junkies.

Which is to say they wanted the job training after job -- And so now.

Has President Obama re opened that door Russell and by grant because you know President Clinton even pointed out they -- there -- some Republican governors.

We're saying the Obama administration we -- more flexibility.

And President Clinton was saying so he gave them that flexibility to create.

More work requirements not less.

Despite -- -- regarded frankly some flexibility worsen -- already murdered purposely in 2000 600 of the Deficit Reduction Act but.

Ted -- -- block grant states have brought flexibility within it already.

And again I think the -- has been reopened to activities and don't -- -- employment.

Two activities we're -- can people languish in different settings.

Where we're for a period of time that don't lead to a job and and that's a shame because when you're on welfare you're undoubtedly -- your -- In this state you get a lot of supports that means you must far far less or so I.

I don't understand the thought it's apparently going back to the -- where it's better to get a check without any.

Personal response earlier expectations.

And in return than it is to work and have your benefits supplement.

So when you see that pants on fire rating that political fact gave the Romney -- what what do you make of it Russell do you agree with that.

Well I -- I know I don't agree with cantaloupe are -- I think the fact of the matter is that again I go back to it -- this authority to do with the administration -- just -- has always existed and they believe in -- why are they doing it in July of 2000.

Twelve instead of us in an interview was inaugurated in 2000 -- what's your thought on that why they -- -- -- well I I believe that every conclusion but I think that once again it has to do with issues of mobilizing people that they hope will turn out for them -- vote.

Let me as his right -- up against her break but are you a partisan guy wrestled.

No not really at all I didn't different parties all my life I don't -- I Brandon and our program fairly and equitably and New York.

I just leaving work.

Same question you Douglas and I got it up.

Known I'm not part of her mind is like the common birthing room guys thank you -- so much for being here.

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