A discussion was held of President Nixon's comprehensive plan to eradicate poverty by providing income assistance and helping millions find work. The Family Assistance Plan that President Nixon proposed on August 8, 1969, sought to replace the bureaucratic administration of assistance with direct cash payments to the poor. It was part of the president's efforts to restructure the federal government in an effort to reduce federal bureaucracies. Congress failed to agree on the proposal however and the legislation died in 1971. The discussion was illustrated by slides. The panel included several members of the Nixon administration and was moderated by Lee Huebner, former speechwriter for the Nixon White House. The panelists also responded to questions submitted by members of the audience.

"RN and the Origin of Welfare Reform" was the fifth of the "Richard Nixon Legacy Forums" held to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace, now the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. It was held at 1:30 p.m. June 6, 2010, in the Jack Morton Auditorium of the co-sponsor, George Washington University in Washington, D.C.