[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 144 (Friday, September 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S13673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE LEVIN-DOLE MODIFICATION OF THE WELFARE REFORM BILL

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, yesterday I offered an amendment on the 
welfare reform bill to strengthen the work requirement in that bill. I 
have long believed that work requirements should be clear and should be 
strong and should be applied promptly. Able-bodied welfare recipients 
who are not in school or in job training should work--period. My 
amendment required that able-bodied individuals either be in job 
training, in school, or working in private sector jobs within 6 months 
of receipt of benefits, or else be offered and be required to accept 
community service employment. This requirement would be phased in over 
3 years in order to give States an opportunity to adjust 
administratively.
  This was a strengthening provision that was added relative to work 
and, while States are given the option to opt out of this particular 
requirement by notification to the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, I hope and would expect that pressure from the American 
people, who overwhelmingly support strong work requirements, will 
convince their States to enforce this provision and not opt out. 
Senator Dole, the bill's sponsor, accepted the principle and the goals 
of my amendment and it was adopted by a voice vote.
  A few moments ago, on behalf of myself and Senator Dole, a 
modification was sent to the desk and was adopted by voice vote. This 
modification to my earlier amendment will strengthen the amendment by 
requiring that work requirements apply to recipients 3 months after 
they begin to receive benefits instead of 6 months; and this 
accelerates the requirement by 3 months. That is the maximum. So if 
somebody is not in school or job training or in a private sector job 
and is able-bodied, under this requirement States will put in place 
within the next 3 years a requirement that community service jobs be 
offered to, and that welfare recipients accept, community service jobs 
within no more than 3 months of the receipt of their welfare benefit.
  This modification of this amendment will also put this requirement 
into law 1 year sooner, after 2 years rather than 3 years. That also is 
a strengthening requirement.
  The Daschle amendment, which was narrowly defeated last week, 
contained an even stronger provision which was added as a modification 
at my request.
  Experience has shown we must be more aggressive in requiring 
recipients to work. As I said earlier, I believe this amendment is a 
firm step in the right direction.
  I make a parliamentary inquiry, just to make sure. The modification I 
referred to in fact was not only adopted as part of the package, but 
also I ask whether or not there was a motion to reconsider which was 
tabled?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. With regard to the parliamentary inquiry, the 
Senator will suspend for a moment.
  The answer is yes.
  Mr. LEVIN. I thank the Chair and yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Massachusetts.

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