Opening Statement of the Hon. Wally Herger, a Representative in Congress from the State of California, 
and Chairman, Subcommittee on Human Resources

Hearing on Child Support and Fatherhood

June 28, 2001

Welcome to this afternoon's hearing on child support and fatherhood proposals.

Our hearing today will provide oversight on the child support program, as well as allow us to explore further changes, such as those in legislation introduced by our colleagues Nancy Johnson and Ben Cardin.

Substantial reforms of the child support enforcement program were enacted in the 1996 welfare reform law. For example, we have seen the creation of a new hire data base, improved paternity establishment, use of financial institution data matches, and revocation of drivers' licenses and other privileges for parents delinquent in paying child support.

This Subcommittee has and will continue to monitor the effects of such changes. Here's what we know already. In 2000, $17.9 billion in child support was collected, which is a 50 percent increase since 1996. By using the passport denial program, $7 million in lump sum payments were collected in the last year, and the number of paternities established in 2000 reached a record of 1.6 million - an increase of 46 percent since 1996. Overall, they system seems to be operating more efficiently, with total collections per program dollar spent on the rise as well.

Yet with all that, we also know that in 1999 the program collected payments for only 37 percent of its caseload. So this leads to a number of questions:

• Which of the recent changes have been most effective?
• Which need further refinement? and
• What else can be done to improve child support collections?

The options for further improvements include the second topic of our hearing today - fatherhood proposals.

Single-parent families benefit in many ways from the contributions of a noncustodial parent, most often a father. Unfortunately, many fathers are poor, and as a group unmarried poor fathers face greater challenges than other dads, such as elevated rates of unemployment and incarceration. Some were themselves raised by single moms, often without the benefit of a positive male role model.

The fatherhood initiatives we will hear about today are designed to help break this cycle - to help fathers meet their responsibilities as parents and providers, and hopefully husbands. That should improve child support collection, but this effort is about much more than just that.

For too long, government seemed to care only about the provider side of this role, which is important to be sure. But children need more than just financial support to grow into healthy, productive members of society. Every child deserves a father, and all the roles a dad plays in a child's development - parent, mentor, disciplinarian, coach, and friend.

In addition to helping fathers and children improve their emotional and financial connections, fatherhood programs also can help both fathers and mothers better understand the positive aspects of marriage. For example, a recent study indicates that teenagers living with their married, biological parents have lower levels of emotional and behavioral problems, higher levels of school involvement, and fewer school suspensions or expulsions than teens living in stepfamilies, with single mothers, or in cohabiting families.

I am encouraged that many fatherhood programs let young people know about the benefits of marriage, especially for their children.

The House is on record supporting such efforts, and the President has proposed additional funding. So support seems to be growing, at least in part because, as we will hear, the need is for fatherhood programs is great.

To discuss these topics and more we have a distinguished group of witnesses with us today. We will start by hearing from Members of Congress about proposals they have introduced. Then we will hear from the States, advocates, and researchers about what is working, and what more should be done.

Finally, I note that Ron Haskins is joining us as a witness today for the first time since his departure as this Subcommittee's Staff Director last year. We welcome him back, and thank him for his many years of service to this Committee and the Congress.