House Bill May Threaten Child-Support Program Funds

Agencies that serve children and families are sounding the alarm about a U.S. House of Representatives budget bill that could cut millions from state programs. The House could vote on the bill as early as Thursday. The effort to shave $54 billion in federal spending will hurt the most vulnerable, said Carol Kamin, president of the Children's Action Alliance. According to Representative J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., who voted in favor of the proposal in committee, the bill will not take money away from needy families, but will reduce funding that's used for the programs' administration costs. He cited a Government Accountability Office report that found that the federal government paid 88 percent of the cost of Child Support Enforcement, while states paid 12 percent. Source. Jahna Berry, Arizona Republic, azcentral.com. Please click here for more information (last visited November 9, 2005, reo).