Bill pending in Congress, but no movement

As a candidate, President Barack Obama laid out a plan for urban prosperity that included a pledge to sign a bill that would promote "responsible fatherhood" and to remove some government-imposed financial burdens on low-income families.

The Responsible Fathers and Healthy Family Act would benefit low-income families in several ways. It would remove mandatory state fees for child support collection and give states grants for implementing child support collection programs. The bill would also fund domestic violence prevention programs and responsible fatherhood programs.

"As president, Obama will sign this bill into law and continue to implement innovative measures to strengthen families," stated an Obama campaign fact sheet on urban policy.

Then-Sen. Obama co-sponsored versions of the bill in 2006 and 2007. Neither bill made it past committee, and bills that are not passed by the end of a session of Congress have to be reintroduced for consideration in the next Congress.

The current version of the bill, the Responsible Fathers and Healthy Family Act of 2009, was introduced by Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., on June 19, two days before Fathers Day. A House version of the bill was introduced by Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., on the same day.

The Senate version of the bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee, where it has been ever since. According to the congressional Web site Thomas, no major action has taken place on either bill since being introduced.

For his part, Obama hosted a town hall meeting at the White House in June to discuss the importance of fatherhood, and recently signed a presidential proclamation commemorating Family Day. But according to our research, Obama has not mentioned the Responsible Fathers and Healthy Family Act or otherwise lobbied for its passage publicly since the bill was introduced.

So the bill has been introduced, but it's now up to Congress. For now, we rate this promise In the Works.