[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 154 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10705-S10706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Kohl, and Ms. 
        Snowe):
  S. 1859. A bill to reinstate Federal matching of State spending of 
child support incentive payments; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today, I introduce the Child Support 
Protection Act of 2009; with my colleagues Senators Cornyn, Kohl, and 
Snowe. This bill continues the long-standing, bipartisan support of 
Congress for the Child Support Enforcement program, which began with 
the passage of the authorizing legislation in 1974.
  Child support enforcement is a strong partnership between the Federal 
Government and State governments to help parents provide long term 
support for their children. It includes a network of 60,000 dedicated 
staff serving 17 million children across this country.
  In 2008, paternity was established for 1.8 million children ensuring 
that the legal rights of both the children and their fathers were 
protected; 1.2 million orders for support were also established, 
resulting in $26.6 billion of child support being collected and 
distributed to families. This is an important investment in the future 
of our Nation, our children.
  So, the Child Support Enforcement program's results are impressive 
and it is widely recognized as one of the most effective programs 
operated by the Federal Government. In fact, the program is notable for 
collecting $4.79 for each dollar of expenditure. It is a true bargain 
that works well.
  Child support collections account for 31 percent of the income of 
single parent households, but the program does so much more. It works 
with non-custodial parents who need employment so that they can make 
regular payments. Child support staff also play a critical role in 
times of high joblessness, by processing adjustments to support orders 
so that non-custodial parents do not fall hopelessly behind.
  When Congress passed the Child Support Performance and Incentive Act 
of 1998, CSPIA, it created an innovative incentive program that rewards 
efficient, results-oriented child support enforcement efforts. These 
earned performance incentives must be used for child support 
activities. One of every $4 from State expenditures to fund the child 
support program comes from CSPIA incentives and matched Federal funds. 
The Deficit Reduction Act, DRA, of 2005 repealed the authority to use 
the earned performance incentives as a match for Federal funds. The 
bill we have introduced today reverses the funding reduction imposed by 
the DRA.
  States are using the incentives in a variety of ways. In my State of 
West Virginia, the incentive dollars are being used to invest in 
technology to upgrade services and enhance customer service. Thirty 
States or territories are investing in staff and program operations. 
Sixteen States are investing in

[[Page S10706]]

technology, and three others are investing in customer service 
programs.
  The Child Support Protection Act would give States the authority to 
use earned performance incentives to fund this important work and 
continue the impressive results that are being achieved. This permanent 
reversal is critical so that those in State and local government can 
budget for 2011 and beyond. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to 
cosponsor this much needed legislation that is not only important to 
child support enforcement, but our children, their families, and the 
States.
  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise with my colleagues, Senators 
Rockefeller, Cornyn and Snowe, in support of the Child Support 
Protection Act. Our bipartisan group has joined together in a fight for 
our states, counties and the people we serve every day. The legislation 
we are introducing today represents a renewed effort in that fight, as 
we work to restore cuts to the child support enforcement program.
  This fight began in 2005 during Senate debate of the Deficit 
Reduction Act, or the DRA. That bill included cuts to the child support 
enforcement program--one of the most effective federal programs and one 
that directly benefits hardworking, single parent families. During 
consideration of the DRA, I joined 75 other Senators in support of a 
resolution rejecting child support funding cuts. But conferees ignored 
the Senate's record, including a provision to prevent states from 
receiving Federal matching funds on incentive payments.
  Before passage of the Deficit Reduction Act, states with high-
performing child support enforcement programs were eligible for 
additional funding. With the limitation included in the final bill, 
however, States like Wisconsin were suddenly penalized for their hard 
work and success. These states saw their child support dollars 
disappear--and were faced with tough budgeting decisions at both the 
state and county levels. Within a year, child support offices in my 
State were forced to lay off workers and many were left with no option 
but to scale back services.
  Congress took a step towards fixing the problem as part of the 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Recovery bill temporarily 
restored the funding process that was in place before the Deficit 
Reduction Act, and allowed States--for fiscal years 2009 and 2010--to 
draw down much needed Federal matching funds. In Wisconsin, the need 
was so great that some offices used that funding to hire temporary 
staff--to clear case backloads and assist the constituents who have 
been hurt by the funding cuts.
  This is a short term solution--to a problem that Congress created. It 
is time to fix that problem. The economy has left families struggling, 
and child support is a lifeline for many of them. It is time to give 
States and counties the ability to budget beyond the coming year. It is 
time to help the thousands of families who rely on child support 
payments to stay out of poverty and off public assistance. It is time 
for my colleagues to join me in supporting, and to pass, the Child 
Support Enforcement Act.

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