Liberals Upset With Clinton On Welfare Reform

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Aug. 1) -- As the Senate prepares to vote this afternoon on a sweeping welfare reform proposal, some of President Bill Clinton's constituencies are breaking with him over his promise to sign the legislation.

Several groups, including the National Organization for Women and the Rainbow Coalition, were set to protest at the White House today.

And in Congress, some liberal Democrats are lambasting Clinton's decision as an election-year gambit to take still another issue away from Republican rival Bob Dole.

"My president, he's a winner...and the kids are the losers," said Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.). Like other critics, Rangel said the legislation shreds the safety net for poor children, who have no control over whether their parents want to work or can even find work.

On Wednesday, just hours after Clinton announced he would sign the compromise measure despite serious reservations about parts of it, the House voted 328-101 to approve the measure. The Senate is expected to vote later today.

Republicans, who saw Clinton veto two other welfare packages, applauded the victory, but some said it wouldn't have happened without Republican pressure.

In an interview with The Washington Post, House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) recalled an old saying: "When you're being run out of town, jump up front and act like it's a parade."

Liberals Upset With Clinton On Welfare Reform

Related Stories: