Pence helped author the Second Chance Act, and said he was impressed by the presentation local officials made for funding.

"Helping the transition of inmates is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing to do in communities," the congressman said.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., said too many policies of the Chinese government are repressive the one-child policy, forced abortions and restrictions on journalists.

"For the president of the United States to lend the credibility of his presence to the (Beijing) Olympics would be enormous propaganda value to a Communist totalitarian regime that is antithetical to all the ideals of our nation and the ideals of the Olympic community," he said.