John Washington III Says Child-Support Enforcement Should Be Judged by Family Outcomes, Not Collections
John Washington III, a 2028 presidential candidate, argued that fifty-one years after the federal child-support program began, Americans deserve clear answers on who benefits, who struggles, and whether the government is held accountable for families' real outcomes — not just totals collected.
John Washington III is questioning whether America's child-support enforcement system is being judged by the right measure. For decades, Americans have been told child-support enforcement protects families, John Washington III wrote, but history shows some policies punished families for having a man in the home.
He pointed to the program's own history. In 1975, the federal program began, and part of its design was reimbursing welfare costs, he wrote. In 1999, a new incentive structure rewarded states for collections. Families receive billions in support, he wrote, but collections alone don't prove fairness or family stability.
"We should ask who benefits, who struggles, and whether the government is held accountable for families' real outcomes, not just totals collected," John Washington III wrote. "Fifty-one years in, Americans deserve clear answers." He signed the statement as a 2028 presidential candidate.
