MORAN AND MOORE JOIN IN EFFORT TO ENSURE

CHILDREN GET PARENTAL SUPPORT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jerry Moran (KS-01) and Congressman Dennis Moore (KS-03) today announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation that would allow the federal government to revoke the existing passport of any parent who falls $5,000 behind in his or her child support payments. 

"Clearly the consequences we have in place are not getting through to some parents," Moran said. "We owe it to children to strengthen child support enforcement. This legislation adds one more disincentive to fall behind in child support payments."

Under current law, non-custodial parents who owe $5,000 or more in child support payments are restricted from receiving new passports, but may keep their current passport.  This situation could potentially allow a parent to flee the country on an existing passport and avoid fulfilling child support responsibilities to his or her children.

"As a parent and grandparent, I can't imagine that anyone would choose to neglect or abandon their child, but I know that it happens all over the country," Moore said.  "This legislation will help ensure that parents fulfill their obligations and children have every opportunity to reach their full potential."

According to the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS), this legislation holds great promise for increasing child support payments to parents and children who depend on them.

"This legislation would impact persons who actually possess the resources to provide for their children but choose not to do so," said Jim Robertson, SRS Director of Child Support Enforcement. "We estimate that this legislation would result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in collections for the children of the State of Kansas alone."

Additional original cosponsors include Representatives Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), Spencer Bachus (R-AL), Jim Ramstad (R-MN), Steve Israel (D-NY), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Melissa Bean (D-IL).

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