[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 39 (Wednesday, April 13, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: April 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
{time} 1510
THE ENHANCED ACCESS TO SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 1994
(Mr. BILIRAKIS asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the failure of the child support
enforcement system in this country is nothing short of a national
disgrace.
A parent seeking support confronts a dizzying array of legal rules
and procedures--which can suddenly change when one parent or the child
is moved to another State. As a result of these uncertainties, children
who are entitled to receive support are suffering needlessly.
To address this problem, I am introducing the Enhanced Access to
Support Enforcement Act of 1994. My bill will require each State to
grant full faith and credit to the child support judgments issued by
the courts of other States.
While not removing the courts or lawyers from the child support
system, this measure will limit drawn-out litigation and relitigation
of claims. It will help promote simplicity and fairness in a system
which is now anything but simple or fair.
Mr. Speaker, by spending less money on litigation, more can be spent
on the children who need and deserve financial support from their
parents. I therefore urge my colleagues to cosponsor this important
legislation.
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