Patty Murray: “my amendment seeks only to clarify the support of this body for the family violence option, adopted during consideration…”

“my amendment seeks only to clarify the support of this body for the family violence option, adopted during consideration of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. The family violence option allows States to waive victims of domestic violence and abuse from punitive work and education requirements, without being penalized. States would not be required to include these individuals in their 20-percent hardship exemption. The family violence option amendment, which I joined with Senator Wellstone in offering to the welfare reform legislation, was intended to give States the flexibility to ensure that victims of domestic violence and abuse do not become victims of welfare reform. The amendment was adopted and accepted as part of the final conference report. At the time, it was clear to many of us that there is a direct relationship between domestic violence and poverty. Many women and their children become trapped in violent situations based on their economic dependency. For many women and their children, welfare offers the only way out of a violent and dangerous environment. To create arbitrary obstacles to this assistance simply ensures that women and children will be trapped. This was obvious to many of us, but a recent report from the Taylor Institute made our case more solid.…”