Retired Gen. Colin Powell said Wisconsin's welfare plan awaiting President Clinton's approval can "break the cycle of welfare dependency" while caring for children.
Powell told the Wisconsin State Journal of Madison on Monday that he hoped Clinton would waive federal welfare requirements so the plan can take effect.Wisconsin Works, also known as W-2, would replace the current welfare program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, with jobs and job training.
Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson visited the White House last week to ask for the waivers. On Friday, Republican House leaders said if Clinton doesn't sign the wavers soon, they will try to pass a bill to allow the program.
Critics of W-2 have argued that there are too few jobs at adequate wage levels to handle all the recipients whose AFDC would end.