Louie Gohmert: “Yes, that is absolutely true. But another dimension that is added to this is the fact that it can go on beyond your…”

“Yes, that is absolutely true. But another dimension that is added to this is the fact that it can go on beyond your incarceration. You and I both agree that when it comes to retraining and education and drug and alcohol treatment, we really do need to do a better job of that in prisons. But this goes even beyond that, and there is no end in sight. Like I said, I tried to end some of these benefits at 6 months after release. One of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle asked me what was so magic about 6 months after release from prison. I said there was nothing magic about it. I think the training and education should end when you are released, but since I am a Republican and I am in the minority, I knew that they didn't want to end it the day you got out of prison. I was hopeful they would be willing to stop spending tax dollars for criminals who had been incarcerated at least 6 months after they are released. Unfortunately, they voted that down. At this point it is open end. As you are aware, we have never continued to provide benefits to convicted felons after they get out of prison.”