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Senate Passes McConnell-Cosponsored Bill to Assist Families Adopting Children from Democratic Republic of the Congo

‘The passage of this bill through the Senate will help bring needed assistance to so many loving families across our country who want nothing more than to open their homes to a child in a need.’

July 15, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following comments regarding Senate passage of the Adoptive Family Relief Act – legislation he cosponsored to provide meaningful financial relief to families adopting children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):

“I just wanted to briefly say a few words about Senate passage of S.1300, the Adoptive Family Relief Act.  The issue this bill addresses is of particular importance to me, and I’m proud to be a co-sponsor of the legislation.

“More than 400 American families – approximately 20 of them from Kentucky – have successfully adopted children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC. 

“However, due to the DRC government’s suspension of “exit permits” – which has been in place for close to two years now – many of these families have been unable to bring their adopted children home to the U.S. 

“For example, although I was pleased to be able to help the Brock family from Owensboro, Kentucky with the return of one of their adopted sons last Christmas, their other son still remains in the DRC.

“To make matters worse, many of these families have been financially burdened by the cost of continually renewing their children’s visas while they wait for the day the DRC decides to lift this suspension.  

“In an attempt to help these families, the Adoptive Family Relief Act will provide meaningful financial relief by granting the State Department the authority to waive the fees for multiple visa renewals in this and other extraordinary adoption circumstances. 

“The bill builds on Congress’ bipartisan efforts on this adoption issue, including a provision in this year’s Congressional budget resolution to encourage a solution to the stalemate in the DRC.

“I strongly urge the DRC government to resolve this matter, and I truly hope there is a solution to it soon.  But until then, I urge the House and President Obama to help us enact the Adoptive Family Relief Act.  The passage of this bill through the Senate will help bring needed assistance to so many loving families across our country who want nothing more than to open their homes to a child in a need. 

“I want to thank the bill sponsors – Senators Feinstein and Johnson – the 17 other bipartisan cosponsors, and the Judiciary Committee for their hard work and truly bipartisan commitment to solving this heartbreaking issue.”

McConnell Promises Full Senate Review of Iran Nuclear Deal

“[W]e await the beginning of a comprehensive review process premised on a simple question: can the agreement meet its essential test of leaving our country and our allies safer?”

July 15, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran:

“I said yesterday that the Senate would thoroughly review the White House’s deal with Iran. I said we’d hold hearings, call witnesses, and ultimately vote to approve or disapprove of the deal in accordance with the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. That’s what we’ve long planned to do and — once the Administration fully transmits the text to us — it’s just what we will do.

“Senators are already taking a close look at what they’ve been able to get their hands on thus far. But the Senate eagerly awaits the full transmission of that text and the required certifications — we await the beginning of a comprehensive review process premised on a simple question: can the agreement meet its essential test of leaving our country and our allies safer?”

 

Debate Advances on Bipartisan Education Reform Bill

July 15, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the bipartisan Every Child Achieves Act:

“The bipartisan education debate we’re having in the new Senate is good for our country. And it was long overdue.

“For too long, bureaucrats in Washington tried to dictate top-down, one-size-fits-all education policies to millions of students and families across our country. It was hurting our kids. It needed to change. And so, a new Senate that’s back to work for the American people decided to work together to do something about it.

“We thought it was past time to place more education decision-making power where it truly belongs: with parents, with teachers, with states, and with school boards — not with a distant federal bureaucracy.

“The pundits said Washington could never address these challenges, but the bipartisan Every Child Achieves Act actually received unanimous support from every Democrat and every Republican in committee. Just think about that for a moment. It’s an impressive achievement. And it wouldn’t have been possible without a functioning Senate and a lot of dedication and determination from the bill’s primary sponsors, the Republican Senior Senator from Tennessee and the Democratic Senior Senator from Washington.

“This debate may be years overdue, but Republicans and Democrats are certainly having their voices heard today. They’re working across the aisle. They’re representing the views of their constituents. They’re offering amendments.

“The new Senate has processed over two dozen amendments to this bill already, and we’ve adopted quite a few of them. In fact, we’ve now taken more roll-call amendment votes this year in the new Congress than throughout the entirety of the last Congress, combined.

“That’s an achievement both parties can celebrate.

“It represents progress for our country. And this afternoon, we have a chance to make more. Because with cooperation from our friends across the aisle, we can continue to advance the Every Child Achieves Act later today — and set up final passage soon.

“That would mean another bipartisan achievement for our country, and a long-overdue win for our kids.”

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