[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 31 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E452]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LEGISLATION TO ENCOURAGE HOUSE MEMBERS TO HIRE WELFARE RECIPIENTS BY 
                 INCREASING THE MEMBER STAFF ALLOTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 1997

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce a bill to encourage 
Members of the House of Representatives to act in the spirit of welfare 
reform and to set an example by hiring at least one welfare recipient 
to work in either their Capitol Hill or their district office. The bill 
increases the number of staff that Members are now permitted to hire 
from 22 to 23 without any increase in their budgets, provided that the 
extra staff member is full-time and a welfare recipient. Members may 
hire welfare recipients now, as some have done, but others feel 
constrained by the limit on the total number of employees. By allowing 
an additional position, this legislation may also encourage the hiring 
of welfare recipients who are hard to place because of lack of 
experience and opportunities. Members may credit a welfare recipient 
from this city or region to her own home State's work participation 
rate, if desired.
  The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act 
of 1996 requires that, by the year 2002, 50 percent of all families--
including 90 percent of two-parent families--receiving welfare be in 
the workforce or in work activities. In only 1 year, this year, half 
that number or 25 percent must be working--including 75 percent of two-
parent families. This is a daunting goal to achieve nationwide, 
especially considering the wide differences in the economies of the 
States, cities, and rural areas and great differences in the skills and 
background of welfare recipients today. Yet large penalties ultimately 
totaling up to 21 percent of a State's grant may result if the quotas 
are not met. At a time when we are asking private employers to hire 
welfare recipients, we must take the lead.
  The President has directed Federal agencies to take steps within the 
next 30 days to hire welfare recipients. Congress must also do its 
part. While this revenue neutral bill contemplates no increase in a 
Member's allowance, it removes a hurdle to hiring a welfare recipient 
for offices that already have the authorized number of staff or must 
use their full complement.
  Under current rules, Members are allowed to hire 22 staff members, 18 
permanent and 4 nonpermanent, in their Washington and district offices. 
The last time the number of permanent staffers was increased was in 
1975--from 16 to 18--and the 4 nonpermanent staff positions were added 
in 1979. There is no corresponding increase in Member allowance.
  Several Members have already begun to hire recipients of public 
assistance. This legislation encourages others to follow by reducing 
one possible impediment. This legislation is also in the spirit of the 
Congressional Accountability Act that applies the same laws to Congress 
as to other Americans. Employers are not required to hire welfare 
recipients, and neither are we. They are encouraged to hire welfare 
recipients, and so should we. I urge each and every Member to cosponsor 
this bill and to help ensure its early passage.

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