Patsy T. Mink: “my constituents are listening to this debate, even though it is midnight, because it is only 6:00 p.m. in Hawaii. I…”

“my constituents are listening to this debate, even though it is midnight, because it is only 6:00 p.m. in Hawaii. I thank the majority for the courtesy extended to my constituents. I think the whole matter of our legislating has at its kernel the idea of conveying confidence to the American people that they should be able to rely on the promises and the agreements that we make with respect to the programs that we enact. Less than 2 years ago this Congress enacted the welfare reform bill, and it was hard fought. And one of the ingredients in that welfare reform bill was an agreement that was struck with the governors. There was a commitment made to the States that there would be even funding over the length of that program, 5, 6 years. And the governors went and made this agreement with the Congress in the assumption that we would keep our word, that we would not go back on this deal. Sometime around 9:00 last night the majority decided that they would breach that agreement that was struck with the governors.”