One Voter's Voice

"One of my proudest legislative achievements is the Child Support Recovery Act of 1992 which is the direct result of a constituent's personal experience. After a town hall meeting in Alabama, I was struck by the story of a financially struggling single mother whose husband avoided paying child support by moving out of the state. As a result of her story, I authored legislation that makes it a federal crime for parents to cross state lines to avoid paying child support. Her voice made a difference and vastly changed the legal consequences for fathers who leave the state in hope of evading their child support obligations. This law clearly illustrates the vital impact individuals can have on the legislative process." -Senator Richard Shelby, Alabama