Jeff Flake: “today it gives me pleasure to rise and voice my opinion on child support enforcement as it relates to the welfare…”

“today it gives me pleasure to rise and voice my opinion on child support enforcement as it relates to the welfare reform. Child support should be a centerpiece of any welfare reform measure which tends to assist welfare recipients in breaking the chain of poverty and entering into the work force. In many instances child support could be preventive welfare support. If more noncustodial parents paid child support, some families could avoid welfare dependence altogether. A comprehensive child support provision is essential to resolving the welfare crisis in this country. Today almost 63 percent of absent parents contribute no child support to their children's welfare. All children have two parents. Therefore, we must require that both parents live up to their responsibilities and obligations. Ignoring child support enforcement would send the wrong message. We would require young mothers to be responsible, while giving fathers a free ride; 1 in 4 children presently live in single-parent homes without strong child support enforcement. Many of these children will not have the support they need and deserve. We must do everything possible to rectify this terrible problem.”