Welfare-to-Work and Strong Families Act of 1995

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 12, 1995

Welfare-to-Work and Strong Families Act of 1995 - Prescribes guidelines under which a State may apply to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for a grant to operate a State welfare to work and stronger families program. Amends title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to terminate after FY 1995 the: (1) Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Program; and (2) Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) Training Program. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to limit the Food Stamp program to providing benefits to the elderly and the disabled. Instructs the Secretary to submit to the Congress eligibility criteria for medical assistance under a State plan under SSA title XIX (Medicaid) in lieu of the eligibility criteria related to the plans terminated by this Act. Requires any savings resulting from this Act to be dedicated to reduction of the Federal budget deficit.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] · R–IA

Committees

Finance Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 12, 1995
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Jan 12, 1995
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S902-903)
Jan 12, 1995
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jan 12, 1995 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.209 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.209, 104th Congress: Welfare-to-Work and Strong Families Act of 1995

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/209

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1995-01-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/s209/BILLS-104s209is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:14:14Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.209 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.209 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.209, 104th Congress: Welfare-to-Work and Strong Families Act of 1995

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/209

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1995-01-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/s209/BILLS-104s209is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:14:14Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.209 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.209 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.209, 104th Congress: Welfare-to-Work and Strong Families Act of 1995

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/209

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1995-01-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/s209/BILLS-104s209is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:14:14Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.209 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.209 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.209, 104th Congress: Welfare-to-Work and Strong Families Act of 1995

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/209

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1995-01-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/s209/BILLS-104s209is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-21T20:14:14Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.209 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.