Mark Hatfield: “my amendment strikes a portion of this bill related to Oregon's request for a welfare waiver. I am striking this…”

“my amendment strikes a portion of this bill related to Oregon's request for a welfare waiver. I am striking this language because the Secretary of Health and Human Services has now assured me that the administration will complete its commitment to my State. I should like to read the letter to the Senate that I have just received from Secretary Shalala. Mr. President, I offer this amendment on behalf of my colleague, Senator Wyden, as well, because he has been deeply involved and interested and concerned about this issue as well. The letter is addressed to me as chairman of the Appropriations Committee. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am pleased to inform you that an agreement has been reached between the Department of Health and Human Services officials and the State of Oregon on the key issues that would allow the State to implement the Oregon Option welfare reform demonstration for AFDC, JOBS, and related HHS programs, including issues pertaining to federal funding. The uniqueness of Oregon's proposal in the context of the Administration's Memorandum of Understanding with the State warrants a special approach, to be applied only in Oregon, to carrying out this demonstration. You have my commitment that I officially will grant the waiver as soon as HHS staff and State staff can finalize the details of an agreement. Oregon and HHS staff together have crafted an agreement that demonstrates a solid partnership for testing new approaches to welfare reform.”