WASHINGTON, D.C.–Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden today introduced legislation to extend Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) waivers. The bill would allow states with current TANF waivers (and those which expired last year) to renew their waivers through the next welfare reauthorization. Thirteen states would be affected by this legislation. TANF waivers allow states to operate under different rules than specified in federal law.

“By allowing Oregon case workers, rather than federal bureaucrats, to determine what individuals will need to find and keep jobs, Oregon’s program has been successful at moving people off welfare and into work,” said Smith. “Flexibility has been the key to this success and we need to ensure that Oregon can continue to tailor the program to the needs of each family.”

“Our state has proven time and time again that Oregonians know what is best for Oregonians, and the welfare option has been no different,” said Wyden. “Welfare rolls have decreased dramatically under the Oregon waiver, and extending this plan will move more Oregonians out of poverty and into family wage jobs.”

Oregon has long been considered a national leader in developing innovative strategies to serve its low-income citizens. Oregon’s welfare waiver, known as “The Oregon Option,” is operating under a TANF waiver, which is due to expire in June 2003. Oregon has demonstrated success in moving families into employment by fully utilizing its flexibility under the Oregon Option waiver.

A bipartisan group of eight senators have signed on in support of the Smith-Wyden legislation.

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