Mitt Romney, who leads the race for the Republican presidential nomination, has said he would place similar restrictions on 'all these federal programs.' One of his rivals, Rick Santorum, calls the welfare law a source of spiritual rejuvenation. ‘It didn’t just cut the rolls, but it saved lives,’ Mr. Santorum said, giving the poor ‘something dependency doesn’t give: hope.’ President Obama spoke favorably of the program in his 2008 campaign — promoting his role as a state legislator in cutting the Illinois welfare rolls. But he has said little about it as president."
"I believe that poverty is not a permanent condition. I believe in human dignity and the American vision of equality of opportunity"
"I don't think Paul Ryan intended to write a budget that concentrated its cuts on the poorest Americans. Similarly, I don't think Mitt Romney intended to write a budget that concentrated its cuts on the poorest Americans. But there's a reason their budgets turned out so similar: The Republican Party has settled on four overlapping fiscal commitments that leave them with few other choices."
"The major Republican contenders in the Mississippi primary -- Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich -- want to turn over to the states federal programs such as food stamps, housing vouchers and Medicaid. That would transform the aid from open- ended entitlements into fixed annual grants while allowing states to impose new conditions upon recipients, ultimately reducing the number helped."
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Below are a list of policies from the candidate for issues related to reducing poverty and promoting opportunity with links to more information on the candidate’s website and, where applicable, their official government website.
Budget and TaxesRick Santorum proposes a four-part economic plan that includes the following: cutting spending by $5 trillion over five years and passing a balanced budget amendment; lowering the personal income and corporate tax rates, tripling the child deduction and eliminating marriage penalties; modifying the social safety net by block-granting Medicaid, housing, job training, food stamps and education programs; and reforming Medicare and Medicaid.
>>Read more about Rick Santorum’s record.
Immigration
Rick Santorum proposes extensive immigration reform policies including developing a new guest worker program for farmers and stopping the federal government from requiring states to provide government services to undocumented immigrants.
>>Read more about Rick Santorum's immigration reform plan.Entitlement ReformRick Santorum proposes freezing spending levels for five years for social programs such as Medicaid, housing, education, job training and food stamps. Santorum also proposes implementing Medicare changes proposed by Congressman Ryan, as well as reforms to social security, including changes to dependent benefits and disability income benefits, moving back the retirement age for younger workers, and means testing benefits.
>>Read more about Rick Santorum's entitlement reform plan. HealthcareRick Santorum proposes health care reforms, which include repealing the Affordable Care Act, strengthening Health Savings Accounts, allowing patients to purchase health insurance across state lines and block-granting funds for Medicaid to the states.
>>Read more about Rick Santorum's healthcare plan.Spotlight has tracked what the Republican presidential candidates have been saying about poverty and opportunity during the GOP primary debates. We’ve posted quotes from the candidates in a series of Out of the Spotlight (OOTS) blog postings.
Former Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania is quoted in the following OOTS:
Fox News Channel and Wall Street Journal GOP Debate, January 16, 2012
NBC and Facebook GOP Presidential Debate, January 8, 2011
ABC/Yahoo/WMUR-TV New Hampshire Republican Debate, January 7, 2012
ABC News Iowa Republican Debate, December 10, 2011
CNN GOP Presidential Debate on National Security, sponsored by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the Heritage Foundation, November 22, 2011
Your Money, Your Vote: The Republican Presidential Debate, sponsored by CNBC, November 9, 2011
The Western Republican Leadership Conference/CNN Presidential Debate, October 18, 2011
Washington Post-Bloomberg Economic Debate, October 11, 2011
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Debate, presented by NBC News/Politico, September 7, 2011
CNN Republican Presidential Arizona Debate, February 22, 2012
If you read an article, saw a video, or found a policy statement from a candidate that you think should be included,
please email lauren@thehatchergroup.com to submit your request.