Letter to President Biden Calls for Intervention in China Adoption Program Termination

BISMARCK, N.D. - In August, the People's Republic of China (PRC) halted all international adoptions, except those between blood relatives. Prior to the announcement, approximately 300 children in the PRC had been matched with American families in the adoption process.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, joined U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD), and a bipartisan, bicameral group of 103 members of Congress in sending a letter to President Joe Biden, calling on him to stand up for families navigating the PRC's decision to end intercountry adoptions for those without Chinese familial ties.

"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.

"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."

Previously, Cramer joined his Congressional Coalition on Adoption co-chairs in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of State requesting clarification on details of the decision to halt adoptions, as well as the reasoning for China's decision.

Click here for the letter.