[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 143 (Thursday, September 14, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S13558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             OUR NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN

  Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, on this, the likely final day of the 
debate on the welfare reform measure before us, it is worth noting that 
in the lead story of the New York Times this morning, a story by Robin 
Toner, we read that ``the White House, exceedingly eager to support a 
law that promises to change the welfare system, was sending 
increasingly friendly signals about the bill.''
  That is a bill that would repeal title IV-A of the Social Security 
Act of 1935 that provides aid to dependent children. It will be the 
first time in the history of the Nation that we have repealed a section 
of the Social Security Act. That the White House should be eager to 
support such a law is beyond my understanding, and certainly in 34 
year's service in Washington, beyond my experience.
  I regret it. I can only wish some who are involved in the White House 
or those in the administration, would know that they might well resign 
if they agree with the proposal that violates every principle they have 
asserted in their careers, honorable careers in public service.
  I will state once again, we, yesterday, read Mr. Rahm Emanuel, a 
White House spokesman, saying the measure was coming along ``nicely.'' 
Today, we get the same message in a lead story in the Times. If this 
administration wishes to go down in history as one that abandoned, 
eagerly abandoned, the national commitment to dependent children, so be 
it. I would not want to be associated with such an enterprise, and I 
shall not be.


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