In a speech she gave last month supporting passage of the Bankruptcy Reform Act, she said she was convinced that the legislation makes the child top priority. Parents have long struggled to get all the child support they're due. It is unclear how many women are entitled to collect alimony and child support from men who have gone bankrupt. The National Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers estimates that number may be 500,000 over the past six years. Before the bill goes to President Bush, the House and Senate must reconcile differences between their versions.
Critics hope to add new amendments to further protect custodial parents and children.