    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [March 2, 1995]
    [Pages 290-291]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Child Support Enforcement
    March 2, 1995

    Dear Mr. Chairman:
        I am writing to reiterate my firm belief that Congress must pass
    tough child support enforcement measures as part of welfare reform. When
    absent parents don't provide support, the inevitable result is more
    welfare, more poverty, and more difficult times for our children. It is
    essential that all Americans understand that if they parent a child,
    they will be held responsible for nurturing and providing for that
    child.
        I am doing everything in my power to crack down on child support
    enforcement. In 1993, we collected a record $9 billion in child
    support--a 12 percent increase over the previous year. Last week, I
    signed an Executive Order to ensure that federal employees who owe child
    support live up to their responsibilities as parents, and that the
    federal government will do its utmost to help find parents with
    delinquent child support claims. Our welfare reform plan included the
    toughest child support measures ever proposed. If absent parents aren't
    paying child support, we will garnish their wages, suspend their
    licenses, track them across state lines, and if necessary, make them
    work off what they owe.
        Parental responsibility should not become a partisan issue. At the
    bipartisan national Working Session on Welfare Reform that I hosted at
    Blair House, Republican and Democratic leaders from around the country
    and every level of government agreed that we should enact the toughest
    child support enforcement measures possible.
        I hope the committee will not shy away from its responsibilities on
    this issue. A number of bills similar to our plan could serve as the
    foundation for any effort to reform child support--including the one
    offered by Representatives Barbara Kennelly, Nancy Johnson, and others.
    Critical elements include denying welfare benefits to any unwed mother
    who does not cooperate fully in identifying the father, powerful
    measures for tracking interstate cases, and serious penalties--including
    license suspension, and if necessary, requiring work--for parents who
    refuse to pay what they owe. We must also include both the performance
    incentives and resources states need to do the job right.
        It is time to get serious about child support in this country. I
    look forward to working with Congress to get it done.
        With best wishes,
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Bill Archer, chairman, and Sam
    Gibbons, ranking member, House Committee on Ways and Means. An original
    was not available for verification of the content of this letter. The
    Executive order of February 27 is listed in Appendix D at the end of
    this volume.

    [[Page 291]]