[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 19 (Tuesday, January 31, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H896-H897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           CHILD SUPPORT NOW

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 4, 1995, the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Neal] is 
recognized during morning business for 5 minutes.
  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, today is day 28 of the 
Contract With America. We have passed the quarter mark for the fist 100 
days. Until day 27, we heard nothing about child support being included 
in the contract.
  In the past, we heard child support is important and would possibly 
be addressed at a later date. Why was child support not an original 
provision of the Contract With America? How could we possibly delay 
acting on such an important issue?
  I was under the belief the contract was to benefit all Americans. If 
we are going to benefit all Americans we really have to have provisions 
which help our children because they are our future. I have carefully 
reviewed the Personal Responsibility Act and there are no child support 
provisions.
  As I have stated before, welfare reform cannot be successful without 
child support. Child support is the cornerstone of welfare reform. 
Strong child support enforcement provisions are necessary.
  When I reviewed the Personal Responsibility Act, my initial reaction 
was the legislation punished women and did not require men to face up 
to their responsibilities. Without taking action on child support, we 
would require young mothers to be responsible while we give fathers a 
free ride. This is the wrong message to send.
  We have to send a message to the American people that we are serious 
about welfare reform. A tough child support system requires both 
parents to live up to their responsibilities.
  On day 27, we heard the Republicans will include child support 
enforcement provision in the Personal Responsibility Act. We had to 
wait until day 27. Where were the child support provisions? What 
message was being sent to the American people? Was the message, Fathers 
do not really need to be responsible?
  How could we have welfare reform without child support enforcement 
provisions? Child support is welfare prevention. For every $1 spent on 
administrative expenses, $4 is collected in child support.
  On day 27 we heard child support would be included in the Personal 
Responsibility Act. I am pleased the Republicans have finally 
recognized the importance of this issue. Today, 63 percent of absent 
parents contribute no child support. We can and need to do better than 
this.
  The potential for child support collection is estimated at $48 
billion per year. Only $14 billion is actually paid. This leaves an 
estimated collection gap of about $34 billion. This gap needs to be 
closed. It was not until day 27 that it was decided to address the 
issue of closing this $34 billion gap.
  One in four children now live in single parent homes. Without better 
child support enforcement, too many of these children will not have the 
support they need and deserve. In 1992, 17.6 million children lived in 
single parent homes. We need to improve these statistics now.
  My home State, Massachusetts, has been very successful with child 
support enforcement and would serve as a role model for the rest of the 
country. Massachusetts has increased its child support collection rate 
from 51 to 67 percent over a 3-year period. We must make an improvement 
on the Federal level.
  On day 27 we heard child support enforcement was going to be included 
in the contract. It is day 28 and we do not know what type of child 
support provisions will be included.
  A comprehensive child support strategy is necessary to help parents 
become less dependent on AFDC and stay in the work force. A 
comprehensive child support strategy needs stronger requirements for 
paternity establishment.
  Out-of-wedlock births have increased at an outrageous rate. In 1991, 
approximately 30 percent of all children born were born to unwed 
mothers. These children need to be given a fighting chance. There is no 
such thing as an illegitimate baby.
  It's day 28 of the contract. Let us work together to address the 
issue of child support enforcement. We need to work to establish awards 
in every case. We need to streamline the paternity process. We need 
full cooperation from the mother.
  We need to ensure fair award levels. Awards are generally set too 
low. If awards were modified to current guidelines, an additional $7.3 
billion, 22 percent of the gap, could be saved.
  We need to establish a national commission to study State guidelines 
and the desirability of uniform national guidelines.
  We need to collect the awards that are owed. We need States to have a 
central registry and centralized collection and disbursement 
capability.
  [[Page H897]] It is day 28 of the contract. We need to send a message 
to the American people that we are serious about child support 
enforcement. Ignoring child support enforcement sends the wrong 
message. It says that the noncustodial parent who is one-half 
responsible for the birth of a child does not have any responsibility 
for supporting that child. We cannot send this message.
  We need tough new penalties for those who refuse to pay such as wage 
withholding, suspension of drivers' and professional licenses, and 
property seizures.
  It is day 28 of the contract. Child support is finally starting to 
receive the recognition it deserves. Let us not stop now. We have to 
work together to close the $34 billion gap.


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