Jack Kingston: “What seems to be happening here is a political sock hop; but instead of listening to old Elvis records, we are listening…”

“What seems to be happening here is a political sock hop; but instead of listening to old Elvis records, we are listening to old Democrat rhetoric. We are hearing it over and over again, over and over again. The ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means, 1996: 'The only losers we have are the kids.' The gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), 1996: 'I am saddened for today it seems clear that this House will abdicate its moral duty.' The president of NOW, who I do not quote very often, again denounced the plan in 1996. It is the same group over and over again saying not this bill, not this time. But look what happened. Much to their, I guess, chagrin, they are spending on TANF and child care up to $15,888 compared to 1996 where it was $6,900. The number of cases has dropped from 4 million to 2 million, cut in half; and the number of welfare caseloads has fallen from 14 million to 5 million. Welfare reform works. Just ask Tanya who was on public assistance and now is buying her new home. I wish that we could get some good bipartisan support instead of the old Democratic rhetoric.”