Clinton Seeks Support To Restore Benefits

Administration officials pleaded with Congress on Thursday to restore welfare benefits for legal immigrants who have not become citizens. But President Clinton came under blistering criticism from liberal Democrats, who said he should never have signed the bill that ended such benefits.

“The president sold out children to get re-elected,” said Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif. “He’s no better than the Republicans.”

At a hearing of a House Ways and Means subcommittee, Stark told the officials that Clinton should not expect much support for his proposals to soften the impact of the new law.