Activists: this is an opportunity to advocate for poor women experiencing partner abuse. Your quick assistance is needed to let Congress know how important this legislation is to save lives. Legislation clarifying the status of battered women on welfare will be voted on shortly in the Senate Finance Committee and should then proceed fairly quickly to the floor and House-Senate Conference Committee action. This measure, introduced by Sens. Paul Wellstone (D-MN) and Patty Murray (D-WA), is to be offered as an amendment to a technical corrections bill (H.R. 1048) which has already passed the House or another bill that will be considered soon in the Senate. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), a member of the House Budget Committee, will attempt to add the provision to the upcoming budget resolution.
The bill states that waivers granted to battered women who face increased violence in the welfare-to-work transition should not be counted in the 20% hardship exemption provided states under the new welfare law. Specifically, the legislation indicates that states will not be penalized for giving temporary waivers to battered women over and above the 20% hardship exemption. Clarification is necessary because the administration has failed thus far to provide guidance to states, and many states are hesitating to adopt the FVP out of a fear that they will be penalized.
These "good cause" waivers, granted on a case-by-case basis, are only temporary, but are important options for domestic violence survivors who face more danger when they attempt to become economically independent. Experience shows that batterers often oppose their victims' efforts to gain independence and frequently sabotage their progress. The waivers can temporarily suspend any requirement which may exacerbate domestic violence, such as time limits, family caps, and child support enforcement. Most importantly, the waiver will allow domestic violence survivors get the services they need to escape violence, like counseling, safe shelter, transportation, and other necessities.
States must have this clarification or many will fail to adopt the Family Violence Provision (FVP) in their new welfare programs. A recent count shows that 15 states have filed new welfare plans with the federal government, but have failed to address domestic violence. Thirteen other states make a general reference to the problem of family violence, but have not adopted the FVP and another ten states (and territories) have not filed their welfare plans as yet. Seventeen states and territories have included some or all parts of the Family Violence Provision.
Phone calls, faxes and email contact with your Congressional delegation is needed now for this amendment to be approved. Contact Senate targets immediately, followed by your House member. A list of likely Conference Committee members is attached and it is important that activists contact these individuals, whether or not they represent your Congressional district.
Senators on the Finance Committee who need to be contacted (all at area code 202):
Senate Budget Comittee members may need to be contacted as well:
Members of the House Ways and Means Committee who may appointed to the Conference Committee to contact:
Members who have an asterisk following their names are from states which have adopted the Family Violence Provision, so you can refer to that in emphasizing the importance of the waiver clarification in order that other states adopt the FVP.
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