As he faces the 1996 elections, it is unclear if Clinton will sign a welfare reform measure. While he vetoed the House and Senate compromise bill, he continues to promise to sign a welfare bill similar to the more lenient Senate bill. Welfare reform can still be enacted either through the budget reconciliation process which remains in negotiation or if the Republicans offer another stand-alone bill. Having vetoed the more conservative compromise welfare bill, Clinton can keep the allegiance of liberals, while maintaining that he had supported the same welfare measure as Senator Bob Dole, the leading Republican Presidential contender. Nevertheless, in the upcoming election debates, Clinton and the Democrats have clearly lost political ownership of welfare reform.
Sources are available upon request.
Emily Melnick is a second-year social administration student. Her placement is with the Department of Human Services, City of Chicago .