Patsy T. Mink: “Current Federal law says if the mother has a child 3 years or younger they cannot even be part of the jobs programs. So…”

“Current Federal law says if the mother has a child 3 years or younger they cannot even be part of the jobs programs. So we have always kept to this idea that the best nurturer of a young child is the mother. But of course if she wants to go out to work, then we help to find child care. But this is a forcible policy that they are trying to enact, a requirement that unless you sign up, the day you register for welfare you have to sign a contract with the Government saying yes, I will go for education; yes, I will go for job training; yes, I will be in a job within 2 years. That is the contract that you have to sign to go on welfare if this whole program comes about. So what we are doing is forcibly requiring these young mothers with infants to sign up in order to get welfare, cash assistance, to say that they will abandon their children and seek a job outside the home. Many of the mothers do that. I certainly as a person who has stood for women's rights and opportunities have always said women ought to have that option if they wish to work. But certainly I do not believe it is appropriate for the Federal Government to pass a law that requires this policy.”