Mike Pence: “I am cursed with a memory full of useless information, some of which were the comments made by Democrats in 1996 when we…”

“I am cursed with a memory full of useless information, some of which were the comments made by Democrats in 1996 when we passed welfare reform. Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund, said the bill was an outrage that would hurt and impoverish millions. The Urban Institute predicted welfare reform would push 2.6 million more people into poverty. And the National Organization for Women said 12.8 million people on welfare would risk sinking deeper into poverty. We have heard this morning on this floor, Mr. Speaker, the same. There they go again. The truth is that the vicious cycle of poverty has been broken. There are 2.3 million fewer children living in poverty today than before the 1996 welfare reform bill and 4.2 million fewer living in poverty across the board. The reality is the 1996 welfare reform bill worked. Let us be sure in Congress today to deal and to assist the neediest among us by continuing this important reform with the welfare bill before the Congress this week.”