Political Quotes

“Mr. President, Jack Kemp and others who have looked at and examined the issue of poverty have often found that we have not done a great job alleviating poverty. We have tried government programs. In my State, we tried them in rural Appalachia for 40 years. Yet we still have persistent poverty. Many of us believe we would have a better chance with poverty if we would lower taxes in these areas, lessen regulation, and instead of sending the money to Washington, leave it where the poverty is. My amendment alone would leave half a billion dollars in Eastern Kentucky, $200 million in Louisville. We have had much discussion of Flint, MI, and the water problem there. My amendment would leave $124 million in Flint, MI, next week. My amendment would leave over $1 billion in Detroit. If there are those in this body who can come together and say we have a unified presence and a unified ability and desire to combat poverty, this is the amendment to do it. It is called economic freedom zones. I hope we will get bipartisan support in favor of leaving money in these impoverished communities to help them get started again. Thank you. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Washington.”