Washington ? House Republicans pressed for legislation Wednesday that would push more welfare mothers into jobs, working more hours than ever before, as floor debate began over changes to the landmark welfare overhaul.

With the welfare rolls more than cut in half, Republicans said that the 1996 law was a sparkling success and that tougher work rules would move even more families off assistance.

“This is a bill about opportunity for Americans,” Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said as the House began debate over renewing the welfare program.

Democrats argued that leaving welfare was not enough. Most former recipients still live in poverty, they note, even those who are working, because the jobs they find pay so little.

Democrats want to let states put more people into education and training, reviving a long-running debate over how best to aid the poor.

“Why is education important for everyone in this country except for people that happen to be on cash assistance?” asked Rep. Ben Cardin, D-Md., a leader on welfare issues.

Democrats said the increased work requirements would force states to create make-work jobs to meet quotas, and they want more money for child care, saying there is not enough now and even more will be needed if more single mothers are forced to work.

The Republican bill, which closely mirrors President Bush’s plan, includes up to $300 million for experiments promoting marriage and continues to bar legal immigrants from aid programs for their first five years in the United States.

On a near party-line vote, Republicans imposed rules for debate that barred votes on any individual issue, preventing Democrats from forcing votes on immigrants, child care and other popular issues. Rather, members were voting up or down on the total GOP and Democratic packages.

Action on the measure stalled for hours over a provision that let states skirt rules and merge a variety of aid programs, including housing, food stamps and child care. The controversy consumed most of the day, pushing final vote on the bill to today.