Central ND News

In August 2024, the People's Republic of China (PRC) stopped all international adoptions except those involving blood relatives. Before this decision, about 300 children had been matched with American families. This development has prompted concern among U.S. lawmakers for the well-being of these children.

U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer and Amy Klobuchar, co-chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, along with U.S. Representatives Robert Aderholt and Danny Davis and Senator Chuck Grassley, have taken action by sending a bipartisan letter to President Trump. The letter urges him to engage with the Chinese government to resolve pending adoption cases.

"The sudden termination of China’s adoption program in August 2024 only exacerbated our concern for these children’s well-being," the letter states. It further highlights that many of these children have special healthcare needs and may age out of care systems without permanent family support. The letter emphasizes the importance of providing these children access to necessary care and support from approved American families willing to adopt them.

The legislators acknowledge that "the State Department is working on behalf of these families and seeking clarity on the Chinese government’s decision." They urge President Trump to elevate engagement efforts with China to finalize adoptions so that affected children can join their adoptive families in the United States.

This effort follows previous attempts requesting President Biden's intervention and urging the Department of State to seek more information about China's decision regarding international adoptions.

Numerous senators signed the letter, including Tammy Baldwin, Marsha Blackburn, Katie Britt, Maria Cantwell, Shelley Moore Capito, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Ted Cruz, John Curtis, Tammy Duckworth, Joni Ernst, John Fetterman, Kirsten Gillibrand, John Hoeven, Ron Johnson, Tim Kaine, Mark Kelly, Angus King, James Lankford, Ben Ray Luján, Cynthia Lummis, Jeff Merkley, Bernie Moreno, Lisa Murkowski, Patty Murray among others.

House cosigners include Representatives Brian Babin (R-TX-36), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16), Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), Kat Cammack (R-FL-03), Mike Carey (R-OH-15), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) among others.

For more details on this issue or to view the full letter sent by lawmakers to President Trump regarding Chinese adoptions visit [here].