Peace Garden News

In Washington, D.C., U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer and Amy Klobuchar have introduced two legislative proposals designed to support adoptive children and families. As co-chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, they are focused on addressing the needs of the more than 100,000 children in the U.S. waiting to be adopted, a number highlighted in the Fiscal Year 2022 report.

The first bill, the Supporting Adopted Children and Families Act (SACFA), seeks to improve both pre- and post-adoption support by expanding the uses of federal adoption funding. The second, the Safe Home Act, focuses on raising awareness about unregulated custody transfers (UCTs), commonly referred to as "rehoming," a practice where children are transferred to new caregivers without legal custody arrangements. The bill also includes provisions to provide federal resources for tackling this issue.

Senator Cramer, a father of adoptive children himself, stressed the importance of providing stable, loving homes. “Giving a child a stable home through adoption is one of the greatest joys for a parent, and I can personally speak to that,” he said. He further explained that these bills are crafted to ensure that adoptive families have the resources and support they need while safeguarding children from neglect.

Senator Klobuchar also praised adoptive families for their dedication and compassion. “We are grateful for the selflessness and love of adoptive families who open their hearts and homes to children in need,” she said. As a co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, she reaffirmed her commitment to working alongside Senator Cramer and other lawmakers across the aisle to ensure that every child in America has access to a safe, stable, and nurturing home.

Adoption continues to be an important issue in the U.S. As of 2022, approximately 368,500 children were living in foster care in the United States, with about 108,877 of them waiting to be adopted, according to statista.com. Efforts like SACFA and the Safe Home Act are crucial to improving the adoption process, ensuring these children not only find permanent homes but also receive the comprehensive support they need to thrive.