Rich Neal: “there is a great verse from the old folksong that goes like this: When will we ever learn? Two years ago, one side in…”

“there is a great verse from the old folksong that goes like this: When will we ever learn? Two years ago, one side in this institution learned that they would be unsuccessful in imposing their will on the other side when it came to the health care debate. And for the better part of 18 months, the majority in this House has failed to successfully pass welfare reform. The truth is, today, and Members will never hear them give any credit to this gentleman, but Bill Clinton forever changed the culture of the welfare debate in this country when he said we would end welfare as we currently know it. There is but one piece of legislation in front of this House today that commands the respect of Democrats and Republicans alike. That is the Castle-Tanner legislation. That is legislation based upon the hard-won experience of the former Governor of Delaware and the distinguished gentleman from Tennessee, because they worked diligently to come up with a piece of legislation that Republicans and Democrats alike could support. No Member of this institution supports or defends the status quo when it comes to the current welfare system in America. We reject the notion that one out of three children being born out of wedlock in the long run ensures the social viability of this Nation. But as Al Smith used to say, let us take a look at the facts.…”