Counting them, the decline in cash assistance would be 82 percent.

State officials say 86,600 families are receiving cash assistance, down from a peak of 247,800 in 1994.

Republicans would set annual limits on spending for cash assistance to poor people.

The bill before the Senate would continue cash assistance for these needy parents.

Over the past 20 years, states have cut the value of cash assistance nearly in half.

Under the bill, each state would get the same amount of Federal money it received for cash assistance to poor people in 1994.

Of the first 5,000 families to reach the limit, about 70 percent lost their cash assistance.

The Wisconsin plan simply ends cash assistance after two years.

States could provide Medicaid to people getting cash assistance under the new welfare program.

Three years ago, cash assistance to Nicaragua was $226 million.