Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to M. M., January 20, 1997

■™5BSSS==S~- Congress of flic ©nitEb States fyousc of Stpctscnfatibes OTiagfjmgton, 2DC 20515-2002 January 20, 1997 Dear Thank you for your letter expressing support for my fight against the Baltimore City/HUD/ACLU public housing settlement. As you are well aware, I have been a loud and unwavering critic of federal housing programs which seek to guarantee outcomes rather than expand hope and opportunity among poorer citizens. Such programs also jeopardize the property values of working people, as you amply demonstrate. By manipulating the judicial process, HUD, ACLU, and Baltimore City have sought to achieve the kinds of social experimentation which the American people rejected at the ballot box long ago. Federal housing assistance should be available yet temporary. Be assured that I will continue to fight the kind of policy espoused by the housing settlement as long as I serve in Congress. You also expressed support for welfare reform. As you know, the 104th Congress enacted the most sweeping welfare reform bill in history. Among its accomplishments, the bill establishes a five-year lifetime limit on welfare benefits; requires recipients to work in two years; discourages illegitimacy by denying welfare benefits to unwed mothers who refuse to identify the fathers of their children; and prohibits felons and noncitizens from collecting benefits. During the presidential campaign, President Clinton hinted that he would use the new line-item veto to “fix” the bill. I am concerned by the President’s comments. The old welfare system hurts children and perpetuates misery. The new law will break the cycle of hopelessness once and for all. As long as I am in Congress, I will oppose any attempt to roll back the clock on welfare reform. Once again, thank you for writing. Please contact me again if I may be of assistance to you in the future. Sincerely, Robert L. Eh®ch, Jr. Member of Congress