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In this testimony before the Subcommittee on Children and Families of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, the benefits of President Bush’s proposed Healthy Marriage Initiative are discussed. The important role of the federal government in supporting the formation and stability of healthy marriages is explained, as well as the link between positive child developmental outcomes and children raised in healthy marriages. The limitations of governmental involvement in promoting healthy marriages are also explored and three principles that should underlie government’s role in supporting marriage are described. The principles address the need for government to promote healthy marriage, to provide incentives for healthy marriages and remove disincentives for marriage, and to move ahead without waiting for additional research. Key initiatives supported by the Bush Administration to support the formation and stability of healthy marriages are then summarized and the importance of the Administration’s leadership is emphasized.