[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 64 (Thursday, May 15, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H2686-H2687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WASHINGTON'S ROLE IN HELPING THE POOR

  (Mr. HERGER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, when I am home in my district I am sometimes 
asked, ``What can you do for the poor?'' I have two responses.
  First, if the poor look to Washington to solve their problems or to 
make them rich, they will be as disappointed in the future as they are 
today, some 32 years after failed welfare state policies were begun. 
Mr. Speaker, we have 32 years of evidence that increased spending on 
Government programs does not end poverty, it perpetuates it.
  On the other hand, my second response offers more hope. Washington

[[Page H2687]]

can pursue economic policies that will allow the poor to help 
themselves.
  Washington can pursue economic policies that will make it easier for 
people to find jobs, will make it easier for people to find better 
jobs, will make it easier for people to buy a home, will make it easier 
for people to receive an education, will make it easier for people to 
get ahead. Policies that would do that include lower taxes, more 
commonsense regulation, less Government bureaucracy and, above all, a 
balanced budget. That is a program that will help the poor, not the 
failed promises of more Government and social spending.

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