Sali Champions Adoption in House Vote

Sali Champions Adoption in House Vote

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Bill Sali, a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, today supported legislation that will encourage adoption of children in the United States.

“With all the talk these days about our nation’s resources and needs, we have to remember that nothing is more important than America’s children. Children who are vulnerable are especially in need of loving and secure homes where they can become part of a family. These measures are designed to advance that goal and I am proud to support them,” Sali said.

The Congressman, the father of six and grandfather of six more, noted that in Idaho, about 175 children are adopted through public adoption agencies annually, in addition to a number of children who are adopted through private agencies.

“Idahoans are a compassionate people, and so many families in our great home state have been enriched beyond words by adopting a baby, a child or young person. But we need to increase public awareness of adoption and also provide help to relatives who want to adopt, as well,” said the Congressman.

Following are summaries of the legislation.

H. Res. 1432, “Supporting National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month.” The measure would promote national awareness of adoption and the children in foster care awaiting families, celebrate children and families involved in adoption, recognize current programs and efforts designed to promote adoption, and encourage people in the United States to seek improved safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.
H.R. 6893, the “Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act,” would “provide for kinship guardian assistance payments to relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of children whom they have cared for as foster parents for at least six months and for whom they have committed to care on a permanent basis. States may also pay the total cost of any non-recurring expenses associated with the adult’s obtaining legal guardianship of the child, up to $2,000 per child. The bill makes available independent living services and education and training vouchers for children who leave foster care for relative guardianship after the age of 16.”

Both H.Res 1432 and H.R. 6893 passed the House and await further action in the Senate.

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