[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 8, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H4535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT IS WELFARE PREVENTION

  (Mrs. ROUKEMA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, during the 1992 campaign, President 
Clinton pledged to end welfare as we know it. Last year this Congress 
passed a comprehensive welfare reform package, which the President 
promptly vetoed.
  Clearly, this debate is going to continue for months. All the while 
that we are debating, America's children are suffering. Mr. Speaker, a 
key component of our welfare reform package was tough child support 
enforcement amendments; amendments designed to force the deadbeats to 
honor their legal and moral obligations to their children.
  Over $6 billion each year in the basic necessities of life are denied 
these children because of lack of child support payments. In fact, HHS 
tells us that up to 25 percent of all families who are on welfare are 
there because they are not getting the child support that they are due.
  That is why I call an effective interstate child support system 
welfare prevention. My colleagues, this Sunday is Mother's Day. Let us 
pass this legislation now. No more delays.

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