John Cornyn: “in the year 2004, the child support program collected $ 21.9 billion, while the program costs were $5.3 billion. Let me…”

“in the year 2004, the child support program collected $ 21.9 billion, while the program costs were $5.3 billion. Let me make this clear for my colleagues. In other words, for every $1 spent by the Federal taxpayer $4.38 in child support was collected for the children who need it. This is not the typical Federal program. This is not money that once spent we see no real benefit from. Rather, this is one that for every dollar that is invested $4.38 in child support is collected for the children who need it and who are legally entitled to it. The President's 2006 budget cites the child support program as ``one of the highest rated block formula grants of all reviewed programs Governmentwide.'' This high rating is due to its strong mission, effective management, and demonstration of measurable progress toward meeting annual and long-term performance measures. Even there, the numbers and these sort of accolades about this program do not tell the whole story. The story is completed by the fact that many children who receive child support are thereby prevented from drawing down other Government programs. For example, child support enforcement reduces reliance on Medicaid, temporary assistance to needy families, and other social service programs. It is estimated that more than 1 million Americans were lifted out of poverty through child support programs in the year 2002 alone.…”