[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E563-E564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             OREGON OPTION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVID WU

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 25, 2003

  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, my state of Oregon is one of nine states 
nationwide that currently operates its welfare program under a federal 
waiver. In Oregon the program is known as the ``Oregon Option,'' and in 
the past six years, it has seen caseload reduction rates above the 
national average.
  Our innovative, state designed program allows Oregon the flexibility 
to consider individuals on a case-by-case basis.
  Some folks simply need a little job training or job search skills and 
they are ready to transition back into the workforce. On the other

[[Page E564]]

hand, others need extensive drug and alcohol treatments, or basic 
education, before they are able to hold down a job.
  This combination of basic rehabilitative services to the most needy, 
and more education and job training activities for others, has proved a 
great success.
  Unfortunately, Oregon's federal welfare waiver expires this year. If 
Oregon is forced to change its program to fit the guidelines laid out 
in the recently passed TANF reauthorization bill (H.R. 4), the result 
will be high cost and great disruption to a program that has been 
heralded as a success.
  This simply does not make common sense.
  The legislation I am introducing today would extend existing, or 
recently expired, welfare waivers through fiscal year 2008.
  Successful states, like Oregon, should be allowed the ability to 
continue their federal waivers, for as long as they have successful 
programs.

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