Tony Hall: “this is a modified open rule. It will allow for a fair debate on H.R. 3130. As my colleague has described, this rule…”

“this is a modified open rule. It will allow for a fair debate on H.R. 3130. As my colleague has described, this rule provides 1 hour of general debate. That will be equally divided between the majority and the minority. Under this rule, only amendments printed in the Congressional Record will be in order. The rule also waives points of order against an amendment that will be offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin). In 1988, Congress passed a law that required States to computerize their systems to monitor enforcement of child support payments. Any State that failed to meet this deadline for making the change would lose substantial Federal benefits. Apparently what has happened is fewer than half the States really met the deadline as of October 1, 1997. This bill recognizes the difficulty in meeting the deadline. It creates less severe penalties for States that make a good-faith effort to meet the requirements. The bill also creates new incentives for the States to improve the effectiveness of their child support programs. The Committee on Rules approved the rule by voice vote, and it had support on both sides of the aisle. I would urge adoption of the rule.”