Rep. Van Duyne Reintroduces the Ensuring Children Receive Support Act

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Van Duyne (R-TX-24) and Panetta (D-CA-19) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen enforcement of the Passport Denial Program. TheEnsuring Children Receive Support Act requires the Secretary of State to revoke any U.S. passport issued to an individual exceeding $2,500 in outstanding child support payments.

"The Ensuring Children Receive Support Act is a commonsense bill that will go a long way in safeguarding innocent children from neglect," said Rep. Van Duyne. "This bill strengthens enforcement efforts and ensures we are standing firmly on the side of America's children. I am committed to bringing pragmatic solutions for families in Texas-24 and across the country."

"Child support payments are necessary for some children to have the resources and support that they need to succeed," said Rep. Panetta. "The Ensuring Children Receive Support Act would help us meet the urgency single parents feel by empowering the State Department to revoke passports for delinquent child support payments. We must continue to support those children by finding practical solutions to ensuring child support gets paid."

Under current law, if the Department of Health and Human Services certifies that an individual owes more than $2,500 in child support, the Department of State must refuse to issue the individual a passport and may revoke a previously issued passport. Since passports must be updated every 10 years, this initiative has minimal effect. My bill would require the State Department to revoke the previously issued passport.

Click HERE to read the full bill text.

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