[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 93 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            FOOD STAMP PROGRAM AND THE 1998 BUDGET AGREEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT SMITH

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 1997

  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Agriculture 
reported bipartisan legislation increasing spending in the Food Stamp 
Program by $1.5 billion over 5 years, in accord with the 1998 budget 
agreement.
  The committee provided a total of $1.1 billion, over 5 years, for 
food stamp employment and training programs--$680 million in new 
money--and provided States the authority to grant waivers from the work 
rule for an additional 75,000 people.
  Also, the committee required a maintenance of effort by States, at 
the request of the administration and committee Democrats. Maintenance 
of effort was not part of the budget agreement. Therefore, a State, as 
a condition of receipt of the new employment and training funds, must 
continue its State funding for employment and training programs.
  The administration maintained the committee bill did not meet the 
1998 budget agreement. I disagree. Nevertheless, extensive discussions 
were held with White House and other administration officials.
  The administration wants all employment and training funds dedicated 
to workfare slots, which do not lead to gainful employment but only 
serve to keep able-bodied 18- to 50-year-old persons eligible for food 
stamps. They objected to the policy adopted by the committee because 
they preferred that all of the employment and training funds--as 
opposed to the 75 percent included in the committee bill--be dedicated 
to able-bodied 18- to 50-year-old persons with no dependents. 
Additionally, the administration objected to the inclusion of job 
search as an allowable activity for use of food stamp employment and 
training funds.
  Therefore two changes were made to the committee bill to address the 
objections raised by the administration.
  First, 80 percent of the total employment and training funds will be 
used to provide employment and training services to able-bodied 18- to 
50-year-old persons.
  Second, none of the employment and training funds required to be 
spent on able-bodied 18- to 50-year-old persons may be used for job 
search activities.
  I recognize that these discussions will continue during our 
conference with the Senate. It is my hope that the committee will be 
able to continue its emphasis on flexibility for Governors and 
employment and training programs that actually result in jobs for able-
bodied 18- to 50-year-old persons.

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