[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16712]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          OREGON'S TANF WAIVER

  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, on June 12, 2003, I published a notice in 
the Congressional Record of my intent to object to moving to H.R. 2350, 
a bill to extend the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or 
``TANF,'' our Nation's welfare program. My good friend from Oregon, 
Senator Smith, joined in this effort because the legislation does not 
contain a provision critical to Oregon's welfare program: a waiver of 
certain provisions that gives Oregon flexibility to operate a 
successful welfare program. Because of its waiver, which expires on 
June 30, 2003, Oregon has reduced its welfare rolls nearly 60 percent 
since 1994. It is clear that the waiver has allowed Oregon to meet 
local needs and craft what has been heralded as one of the best welfare 
programs in the country.
  Since Senator Smith and I announced our public holds, the 
distinguished chairman of the Finance Committee, Senator Grassley, and 
the ranking member, Senator Baucus, have worked closely with us to find 
a way so that Oregon can continue to operate under its waiver until 
TANF is fully reauthorized. They have helped obtain a letter from 
Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson to 
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, myself and Senator Smith assuring us 
that Oregon can continue to operate without penalty under its waiver. I 
believe this letter provides Oregon the assurances necessary to 
continue to operate as if the waiver were still in place, and ask 
unanimous consent to insert the letter in the Record.
  Mr. SMITH. I join Senator Wyden in expressing deep pride in Oregon's 
TANF program and in thanking the chairman and ranking member of the 
Finance Committee, on which I serve, for their cooperation. I share his 
assessment that this letter will enable Oregon to maintain its TANF 
program without penalty until the program is reauthorized.
  I also express my appreciation to Senators Grassley and Baucus for 
their efforts on TANF reauthorization. We have been working together 
for months to ensure that all TANF proposals, including those elements 
which have made Oregon's TANF program so successful, are carefully 
considered as we move toward TANF reauthorization.
  Oregon's TANF program, often called the Oregon Option, works because 
it recognizes local barriers to work and works with individuals to 
assess their needs and get them onto a path toward independence. For 
example, Oregon allows individuals with severe substance abuse problems 
to seek treatment. This helps people address the root of their 
problems--not just the symptons. The Oregon Option has put people into 
real work situations--not just make work--and this has helped Oregon 
move people off the welfare rolls and into real, sustainable jobs. I 
believe the Senate can learn from the lessons of Oregon's program, and 
I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that all state 
TANF programs have the flexibility they need to operate successfully.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I understand the concerns of the 
Senators from Oregon, and look forward to working with them to 
reauthorize the TANF program in the coming months. I appreciate their 
concern for the need for Oregon to retain flexibility in TANF. I hope 
the Senator from Montana will agree that the Finance Committee, on both 
sides of the aisle, should discuss this issue as we move to reauthorize 
the TANF program.
  Mr. BAUCUS. I agree with the chairman and look forward to moving on 
these issues. My home State of Montana is currently operating under a 
waiver that expires on December 31st of this year. I know that Montana, 
like Oregon, has been able to craft a successful TANF program because 
of its waiver, and I look foward to working with my distinguished 
colleagues to see that it is retained.

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