[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ANNOUNCING COMPREHENSIVE BIPARTISAN CHILD SUPPORT REFORM

                                 ______


                         HON. NANCY L. JOHNSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 1996

  Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise to announce 
yesterday's introduction of an outstanding bipartisan bicameral bill 
that will have a tremendous impact on the lives of millions of American 
families--the Child Support Improvement Act of 1996 (H.R. 3465). My 
colleague from Connecticut, Barbara Kennelly, as well as Senators 
Olympia Snowe and Bill Bradley, have joined me as sponsors of this 
important legislation.
  The Child Support Improvement Act is not new language; it is the 
child support title of H.R. 4, the welfare reform bill that has been 
bogged down in negotiations for over a year. Because we have reached 
agreements on all aspects of the child support title of the welfare 
reform bill, we believe it is imperative that we liberate these 
provisions of the bill so that they are ready to move forward 
independently if necessary.
  Let me make this clear--we prefer sending to the President a 
comprehensive, bipartisan welfare reform bill that includes our child 
support enforcement provisions. But no matter what happens with welfare 
reform this year, our goal is to have the child support enforcement 
provisions signed into law by the time this Congress adjourns.
  Imagine this--as recently as 8 years ago, just about every State had 
its child support orders in file cabinets. We approved legislation in 
1988 that brought us into the 20th century by requiring computer 
automation of this information. The bill we introduced yesterday will 
take us to the next level by linking States to a central Federal 
databank. At one time a deadbeat parent from Connecticut could find 
work in California and never have to worry about being tracked down to 
pay child support.
  To all deadbeat parents, you are now on notice. Once this bill is 
enacted, you will not be able to hide. We will find you. We will make 
you live up to your parental responsibilities of supporting your 
children.

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