Thomas Foley: “Today we embark on a vigorous debate relative to welfare reform in America. In 1996 in this Chamber, Congress actively…”

“Today we embark on a vigorous debate relative to welfare reform in America. In 1996 in this Chamber, Congress actively debated how to bring financial independence to millions of Americans. Three times it was vetoed by the President of the United States, finally signed into law. Two years later, President Clinton was bragging about being the author of the welfare reform bill that is now the law of the land. Millions of Americans are now financially independent, working to bring pride and respect to their families, and today we continue that debate to bring more independence to more Americans. I am proud of that work, and I am proud that this bill contains additional money for child care, job training, and preparing our citizens for the future of this country and its economy. I will welcome the debate vigorously on this floor today because I believe we are on the right path. My grandmother came from Poland, she was a maid at the Travel Lodge Motel, she worked hard all her life. All she wanted to be is a good citizen and an honest, God-fearing person of this country. I salute people like her, and I know we can do better with the bill on the floor today.”