Grassley, Cardin Lead Call for POTUS to Engage on Stalled U.S.-China Adoptions

Grassley, Cardin Lead Call for POTUS to Engage on Stalled U.S.-China Adoptions

103 members of Congress amplify adoptive families' plea to Biden: 'Your leadership could be life altering for these families'

WASHINGTON - Longtime adoption advocate Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today urged President Biden to stand up for families navigating the People's Republic of China's (PRC) decision to end intercountry adoptions for those without Chinese familial ties. Reps. Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) and Val Hoyle (D-Ore.) are co-leading the bipartisan effort, which garnered a total of 103 bicameral signatories, in the House of Representatives.

"We request that you act in the best interest of these children and families by urging the PRC to fulfill and uphold the commitment the country has made," the lawmakers wrote, noting approximately 300 children in the PRC - some with various health conditions - are already paired with families in the United States.

"The American families that have been matched with their adoptive children are prepared to meet their long-term medical and emotional needs, and to give them the love and nurturing they need," they continued. "Many of these children know that they have a home, which in many cases have been prepared for their arrival since the families were notified that they were matched and moving forward with the adoption process."

Grassley and his colleagues also acknowledged the PRC may complete adoptions for families in some countries, per a State Department notice last week. They called on President Biden to ensure such an action would pertain to the United States, too.

Read the full letter HERE. Cosigners include Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption.

Background:

The PRC terminated its intercountry adoption program on August 28, 2024. Shortly after, Grassley wrote the State Department and the Chinese Ambassador for information. He emphasized the uncertainty the PRC's announcement cast on Chinese children and American parents, including parents in Iowa. Some families have been stuck in the final stages of the adoption process for years.

When China suspended its intercountry adoption program following the COVID-19 pandemic, despite opening its borders for business and other activities, Grassley shined light on the inconsistency. He pushed for stalled adoptions to resume, so children and families could finally unite.

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