[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 147 (Tuesday, November 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              CHILD SUPPORT REFORM AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                        HON. PATRICIA SCHROEDER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Child 
Support Amendments of 1994, H.R. 5177.
  The provisions of the bill before us originated from the Child 
Support Responsibility Act (H.R. 4570), which I introduced on behalf of 
the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues last June. H.R. 4570 builds 
upon the 1992 recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Interstate 
Child Support. The caucus is fortunate to have two executive committee 
members who were on the Commission and they have lent their expertise 
to the legislation. H.R. 4570 is so comprehensive in its approach to 
child support enforcement it was referred to seven different 
committees.
  Child support enforcement is a pressing issue in our Nation. A 
majority of Members readily agree that immediate action is needed to 
strengthen our present child support system. The caucus believes that 
for many families, child support payments are in reality welfare 
prevention measures. Initially, we supported moving child support 
legislation along with welfare reform legislation. However, when it 
became apparent that time was running out for action on welfare reform 
in this Congress, the caucus began working to have comprehensive child 
support enforcement legislation passed. We are able to get the support 
of the leadership on both sides and the support of the chairman of the 
Ways and Means Committee. Time simply ran out on moving the larger 
bill; however, we managed to get several provisions passed by the 
House.
  I thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Norton] 
for acting so expeditiously on the provisions of H.R. 4570 under the 
subcommittee's jurisdiction. With the gentlewoman's help, the Post 
Office and Civil Service Committee became the first committee to 
approve provisions of caucus' bill.
  The bill before us includes important provisions from the larger 
bill. H.R. 5177 would significantly strengthen the Federal Government's 
child support enforcement mechanisms. For the first time, individuals 
will be prohibited from receiving Federal Benefits or become employed 
by the Federal Government if their child support obligations are 3 
months in arrears and they refuse to enter into a payment plan for the 
arrearage. I would like to make clear that the bill will not deny 
access to any federally means-tested benefits. However, if noncustodial 
parents refuse to financially support their children, the Federal 
Government will no longer issue them a professional license or loan 
them money.
  H.R. 5177 also includes a provision from H.R. 4570 under the 
jurisdiction of the Foreign Affairs Committee. The gentleman from 
Indiana [Mr. Hamilton] has agreed to discharge the committee's 
provisions to the Post Office Committee. This child support enforcement 
tool would restrict the passports of individuals with child support 
arrears exceeding $10,000. The Interstate Commission found that 
collecting child support payments internationally is extremely 
difficult. This provision would require noncustodial parents to pay up 
before they fly out.
  I want to take a minute to thank the chairman of the Judiciary 
Committee, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Brooks], and the chairman of 
the Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Forces and Personnel, the 
gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Skelton], for their work on the provisions 
of H.R. 4570 referred to their committees. Provisions of the caucus' 
bill pertaining to bankruptcy proceeding were incorporated into the 
bankruptcy reform bill, passed by the House on October 4. On the same 
day, the House also passed H.R. 5140, a bill which would improve the 
collection of child support payments owed by military personnel.
  With the passage of these four provisions, we have accomplished what 
was possible this Congress. On the first day of the 104th Congress, we 
will reintroduce the Child Support Responsibility Act and begin working 
to pass this much needed legislation.

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