 June 2002
American Friends Service Committee Peacework Magazine Patrica Watson, Editor Sara Burke, Assistant Editor Pat Farren, Founding Editor 2161 Massachusetts Ave. Telephone number: Fax number:
pwork@igc.org Peacework has been published monthly since 1972, intended to serve as a source of dependable information to those who strive for peace and justice and are committed to furthering the nonviolent social change necessary to achieve them. Rooted in Quaker values and informed by AFSC experience and initiatives, Peacework offers a forum for organizers, fostering coalition-building and teaching the methods and strategies that work in the global and local community. Peacework seeks to serve as an incubator for social transformation, introducing a younger generation to a deeper analysis of problems and issues, reminding and re-inspiring long-term activists, encouraging the generations to listen to each other, and creating space for the voices of the disenfranchised. Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of the AFSC. |
Last Chance to Influence Welfare Bill Roberta Spivek is Economic Security Advocate in the AFSC Women's Program <rspivek@afsc.org> June is a crucial month in the struggle for welfare justice. With a Senate vote expected before the July 4 recess, activists are mobilizing across the country and on Capitol Hill. Every phone call is needed; every voice must be heard. Many issues are at stake in the welfare struggle. More than five million people, almost all of them children (over 70 percent) and women, will be affected by the new welfare law. Whether a single mother can go to school; whether her child can get a day-care slot; whether states can continue offering programs that focus on training, transition jobs, and domestic violence prevention or substance abuse counseling--all are at stake. Thanks to grassroots pressure, the Senate bill is likely to be more moderate than the one passed by the House of Representatives on May 16. HR.4737 reauthorizes the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. Its freezes TANF funding at current levels; increases work requirements for single mothers to 40 hours per week; reduces state flexibility to provide education and training; funds with $100 million the Healthy Marriage Promotion program; and increases childcare funding by only 4 percent for one year. A controversial "superwaiver" provision grants broad federal authority to waive rules for child care, food stamps, public housing, and welfare programs at a state's request, although civil rights, health and safety, and fair labor standards laws are exempt. An amendment by Rep. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) to increase TANF and childcare funding was defeated. The House vote was mainly along party lines, 229-197, with Democrats fairly united in their opposition to the bill. Activists have now turned their lobbying energy to the Senate, whose bill will have to be reconciled with the House bill. The Senate bill is expected to be "marked up" (written) the week of June 12. Details are still being worked out as Peacework goes to press. It will probably take the form of a bipartisan "Baucus-Grassley" bill (for the chair and ranking minority member of the Senate Finance Committee), and incorporates provisions from earlier formulations. Key players include senators Breaux, Snowe, Jeffords, Graham, Rockefeller, Wellstone, Corzine, Graham, Carper, Bayh, and Santorum. Moderate Republicans' and "new Democrats'" votes will be decisive.
At the grassroots, state welfare coalitions and other groups have
mounted intensive efforts to influence their senators and governors.
In Maine, activists met with Senator Olympia Snowe; in Pennsylvania,
advocates have invited Senator Specter to a town meeting to meet
welfare recipients. Governors are potential allies, as surveys
show that most states are afraid that that the Bush administration
principles embodied in HR.4737 will force them to replace effective
programs with "workfare" programs, and burden them
with $15 billion in new costs. While large demonstrations have
been rare, 4000 people rallied in Springfield, Illinois, and a
demonstration at Hillary Clinton's Washington home to protest
her signing on to the conservative Carper-Bayh bill, made front-page
news. Faith community organizing has included interfaith vigils
in 17 cities on May 20; a candlelight vigil on Capitol Hill; and
a Call to Renewal Pentecost gathering that brought 300 religious
and grassroots leaders to Capitol Hill for three days of prayer
and lobbying. Action: Five Minutes a Day for Justice
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