[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 105 (Tuesday, July 8, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H5839-H5842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       SUSPENSION OF EXIT PERMITS

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 588) concerning the suspension of exit 
permit issuance by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the 
Congo for adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with 
their adoptive parents, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 588

       Whereas according to UNICEF, over 4,000,000 orphans are 
     estimated to be living in the Democratic Republic of the 
     Congo;
       Whereas the United States has made significant financial 
     investments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 
     providing an estimated $758,102,000 in development, 
     humanitarian, and security assistance, including peacekeeping 
     activities, in fiscal year 2013;
       Whereas cyclical and violent conflict has plagued the 
     Democratic Republic of the Congo since the mid-1990s;
       Whereas, according to the United States Department of 
     State, the policy of the Administration toward the Democratic 
     Republic of the Congo is ``focused on helping the country 
     become a nation that . . . provides for the basic needs of 
     its citizens'';
       Whereas the United Nations has recognized a child's right 
     to a family as a basic human right worthy of protection;
       Whereas adoption, both domestic and international, is 
     widely recognized as an important child protection tool and 
     an integral part of child welfare best practices around the 
     world, along with family reunification and prevention of 
     abandonment;
       Whereas, on September 27, 2013, the Congolese Ministry of 
     Interior and Security, General Direction of Migration, 
     informed the United States Embassy in Kinshasa that effective 
     September 25, 2013, they had suspended issuance of exit 
     permits to adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the 
     country with their adoptive parents, affecting hundreds of 
     children;
       Whereas there are American families with finalized 
     adoptions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the 
     necessary legal paperwork and visas ready to travel home with 
     these children but are currently unable to do so; and
       Whereas on December 19, 2013, the Congolese Minister of 
     Justice, Minister of Interior and Security, and the General 
     Direction of Migration confirmed to members of the United 
     States Department of State that the current suspension on the 
     issuance of exit permits continues: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) affirms that all children deserve a safe, loving, and 
     permanent family;
       (2) recognizes the importance of ensuring that 
     international adoptions of all children are conducted in an 
     ethical and transparent manner;
       (3) expresses concern over the increasing number of new 
     adoption cases that have been opened and the impact on 
     children and families of the Democratic Republic of the 
     Congo's suspension of exit permits; and
       (4) respectfully requests that the Congolese Government--
       (A) resume issuing exit permits for all children that have 
     been adopted, and continue processing adoptions that are 
     already underway;
       (B) expedite the processing of those adoptions which 
     involve medically fragile children; and
       (C) encourages continued dialogue and cooperation between 
     the United States Department of State and the Democratic 
     Republic of the Congo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to 
     improve the intercountry adoption process and ensure the 
     welfare of all children adopted from the Democratic Republic 
     of the Congo.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Peterson) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I speak in strong support of the Peterson resolution, H. Res. 588, 
concerning the suspension of exit permit issuance by the Government of 
the Democratic Republic of the Congo for adopted Congolese children 
seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents.
  Last year, the Democratic Republic of the Congo suspended the 
issuance of exit permits for Congolese children who were adopted by 
foreign parents, impacting hundreds of U.S. families.
  The suspension means that Congolese children adopted by American 
parents cannot leave the country to go to their new homes, even though 
the parents have been officially declared the legal guardians under 
Congolese law. What is more, despite the exit permit suspension, 
Congolese courts have continued processing new adoptions, leading to a 
further backlog of adopted children who are unable to leave the 
country.
  It is estimated that over 900 American families are caught up in 
varying degrees and stages of this adoption limbo--breaking many, many 
hearts. This is a deplorable situation for these children and for their 
distraught families. The DRC has not offered a clear

[[Page H5840]]

explanation for the suspension. The government has provided no evidence 
of widespread abuse in the adoption process.
  The Peterson resolution underscores the importance of an ethical and 
transparent adoption process, and there are currently robust procedures 
in place for ensuring that these children are, indeed, orphaned and 
going to safe homes.
  Ultimately, the DRC is entitled to amend its adoption process in 
going forward, but once the parents' legal guardianships are approved 
and established by the Congolese courts, the government should allow 
these children to depart the DRC with their adoptive moms and dads. All 
children deserve loving homes with moms and dads.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Minnesota, Collin Peterson, for 
authoring this important measure, which has strong bipartisan support. 
Mr. Peterson has always been a consistent voice in support of human 
dignity and of the least and littlest among us, consistently defending 
the human person from the womb to the tomb.
  At the full committee markup, several adoptive parents who were 
denied the requisite permission to bring their sons or daughters home 
were in attendance.
  They, Collin, when we went down and spoke to them, told many of us 
how incredibly grateful they are to you for your leadership and your 
compassion and for your authorship, especially, of this important 
resolution.
  I also want to thank my colleagues on the committee--Chairman Royce, 
Ranking Member Engel, and subcommittee Ranking Member Karen Bass--for 
their leadership in marking up this resolution at both the subcommittee 
and committee levels and for helping to get it to the floor. I also 
thank Eric Cantor and the Speaker for ensuring that it was up for 
consideration today.
  Again, more than 900 American families from across the U.S. and their 
Representatives in Congress are watching this very closely. Indeed, in 
April, 170 Members of Congress wrote and asked the DRC Government to 
lift the exit permit suspension.
  When Secretary Kerry visited the Congo in May, he personally raised 
the issue with President Kabila. I also call on President Obama to 
raise this issue personally when he and President Kabila meet at the 
gathering of African heads of state here in Washington during the first 
week of August.
  Finally, I want to say a word to those parents who have endured not 
only the burdens that are financial, but that are primarily emotional 
in being separated from the children they have graciously welcomed into 
their lives.
  Your hardship and pain is deeply understood by my colleagues and me, 
as well as by our staff members, many of whom have worked not only on 
this resolution, but who have also pushed our State Department and the 
Government of the DRC to resolve this important issue. Please continue 
to persevere. Don't give up hope. You will get to love and to have 
those wonderful children in your homes.
  I also want to let the parents know that our Africa Subcommittee 
plans to hold another hearing to address the growing crisis of orphans 
in Africa to which adoption is one of the very important durable 
remedies, and we specifically intend to address the situation that you 
are confronting with your children from the Democratic Republic of the 
Congo.
  I would hope that Congressman Peterson would lead off that testimony, 
again, in having been the man, the person in Congress, walking point on 
this very important issue.
  Our approval today of House Resolution 588, with support across party 
lines, will send a strong signal to Kinshasa that we need to unite 
these affected families. They shouldn't be separated from these kids. 
They have done everything by the book, and they ought to be with their 
loving parents.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETERSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to thank Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Royce, the 
subcommittee Chair Chris Smith, and Ranking Members Engel and Bass for 
their support of this legislation.
  I first heard about this problem when a constituent from my district, 
Kristin Zeidler of Montevideo, called my office to explain her family's 
situation.
  Kristin and her husband, Gregg, adopted a 4-year-old girl from the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their adoption has been recognized by 
both the United States Government and the Congolese Government since 
December of 2012, but they are not being allowed to bring this little 
girl home.
  That is because, in September 2013, adoptions from the DRC were 
effectively suspended as the Congolese immigration authorities stopped 
issuing exit permits to adopted children. The Zeidler family has been 
fighting for the last year and a half to bring their little girl home.
  This is just one example of more than 800 Congolese children and 
their adoptive American families who are caught up in the ongoing 
adoption crisis in the DRC.
  Just to put this into context, this is over 10 percent of the total 
number of children who were adopted internationally by American 
families last year worldwide. The majority of the impacted cases are in 
their final stages and are merely awaiting the last step to bring home 
their legally adopted children.
  This legislation takes a pragmatic approach, seeking to keep both 
sides at the table and to lead us towards a positive resolution. The 
resolution recognizes the Congolese Government's concerns about the 
ethical and transparent adoption process, and it respectfully requests 
that the issuance of exit permits and the adoption process resume.
  Most importantly, H.R. 588 encourages a continued dialogue between 
our two countries on this issue. I hope that our mutual interests in 
the welfare of these children can lead us to a solution.
  Turmoil in the region makes official estimates difficult, but we know 
there are millions of orphans living in the Democratic Republic of the 
Congo. With hundreds of American families like the Zeidlers being 
impacted by the suspension, we have a responsibility to act. A child's 
right to a family is a basic human right that is worthy of protection.
  I am leading a letter with Representatives Eddie Bernice Johnson, 
Michele Bachmann, and Trent Franks to President Obama, asking him to 
address this issue when he meets with President Kabila at the United 
States-Africa Leaders Summit here in Washington, D.C., next month. I 
urge my colleagues who support this resolution today to also consider 
signing the letter.
  Once again, I am very grateful to committee Chairman Royce and to 
subcommittee Chairman Smith for their attention to this important 
issue, and I am also grateful for the support of the Adoption Caucus 
cochairs--Congresswoman Bachmann and Congressmember Bass--and of 
Ranking Member Engel.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute.
  I have several speakers who want to be here, but they are not 
physically present on the floor.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETERSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on this important 
resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, you have heard today about the devastating 
effects of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's decision to suspend 
exit permits for internationally adopted children. I've met with the 
American families who, as a result of this action, cannot welcome their 
adopted son or daughter into their home. I've seen their heartbreak.
  One family, the Weavers, live in my district. In 2012, James and 
Olivia Weaver began the process of adopting little Wilfride, a 
gregarious five-year-old girl with a heartwarming smile. Her birth 
mother had abandoned her at a local orphanage.

[[Page H5841]]

  The Weavers were overjoyed when, after nine long months, a Congolese 
court declared them Wilfride's legal parents. They quickly made 
preparations for their new daughter to join them and their two other 
daughters in Chino Hills, California.
  But one month after the court's declaration, the Congolese Government 
suspended exit permits for children like Wilfride--meaning this little 
girl has had to continue living in an orphanage for the last 10 months. 
All this despite having a loving home in California that desperately 
wants to take her in.
  I have been to the Congo many times. I understand the exceptional 
deprivation of orphans there. The Congolese Government should be 
helping, and not hindering, their transition to a good home.
  I should add that, parents with completed adoptions in the DRC are 
legally responsible for their child's wellbeing--and are reportedly 
paying on average $500 a month in child support, in addition to 
healthcare expenses. I have serious concerns that the DRC Government 
may have perverse financial incentives to postpone resolving this 
issue.
  I sincerely hope that this is not contributing to the Congo's delay. 
The government must allow these children to make their way to the homes 
that are anxiously awaiting their arrival. I want to thank Rep. 
Peterson and Chairman Smith for their hard work on this difficult 
issue, and I urge Members to support this important resolution to 
encourage the Congolese government to do the right thing.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 
588, which expresses the strong opposition of the House to the current 
practice of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) of 
suspending the issuance of exit visas for Congolese children adopted by 
loving American families.
  On September 27, 2013, the Congolese Government inexplicably and 
inexcusably suspended the issuance of exit permits to children who were 
seeking to depart and begin new and more hopeful lives in the country 
of their adoptive parents.
  All children deserve a safe, loving, and permanent family.
  It is unjust, cruel, and inhumane to punish innocent children for 
actions they did not commit and had no control over.
  UNICEF estimates that there are over four million orphans living in 
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 800,000 of which are double 
orphans, meaning that they have lost both of their parents. In many 
cases entire families have been decimated by violence.
  Thus, if these innocent children are to have any chance for a normal 
life, there is a major need for international adoptions.
  The recent action by the DRC Government jeopardizes both the adoption 
process and the long term safety of these children.
  Mr. Speaker, there are few nations with more persons willing and 
eager to open their homes and their hearts to the orphaned children of 
the DRC.
  There are, right at this moment, scores of American citizens 
currently in the DRC who are being forced to remain in the country for 
months while they wait for the government to approve exit permits for 
their adopted children. These delays serve no useful purpose and 
unnecessarily impede the children's adjustment to their new life and 
brighter future in America, including enrolling in school, adapting to 
the culture, and learning the language.
  Mr. Speaker, the actions of the Government of the DRC are 
particularly disturbing given the fact that the United States is one of 
the DRC's largest and most generous supporters, as evidenced by the 
estimated $274 million in bilateral aid $165 million in emergency 
humanitarian assistance it provided in fiscal year 2014.
  I agree that it ought to be the policy of the United States to help 
the Democratic Republic of Congo ``focus on helping the country become 
a nation that provides for the basic needs of its citizens.''
  That is why the government of the DRC must discontinue its current 
practice of needlessly delaying or suspending the issuance of exit 
visas to children so they can be united with their adoptive families 
who will love and cherish them and provide for their basic needs.
  H. Res. 588 calls upon the U.S. Government to recognize a child's 
rights and ask the Congolese government to:
  1. Resume processing and issuing exit permits;
  2. Prioritize the processing of inter-country adoptions that occurred 
before the suspension; and
  3. Expedite the processing of children who are deemed medically 
fragile.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to share the pain and anxiety of 
one Texas family resulting from the DRC Government's arbitrary 
suspension of exit visas for adopted children.
  The mother of this family wrote my office yesterday. This is what she 
said:

       I am writing today to inform you of the tragic situation my 
     family is in with our legally adopted children not being 
     allowed to come home from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
       Our sweet children, Josias (18 months) and Mercy (20 
     months), were adopted over a year ago and have had U.S. visas 
     since December 2013.
       Sadly, they are still waiting for us to come get them and 
     bring them home because the Congolese government is not 
     allowing any adopted children to leave the country to be 
     united with their families.
       In September 2013, the DRC government issued a suspension 
     on the issuance of exit letters for all internationally 
     adopted children, initially claiming the suspension would 
     last ``up to a year.''
       They have now indicated the suspension will likely go on 
     much longer and that we may not ever be granted an exit 
     letter for our children.
       This has been a heartbreaking situation for our family as 
     each day that our children are stuck in the DRC their lives 
     are in danger.
       Several children have died of malaria during the suspension 
     and many more have become very ill due to unsanitary living 
     conditions and limited access to medical care and their lives 
     are now in jeopardy.

  Adoption is an important tool for protecting children and if the only 
barrier preventing these children from going home is signature on an 
exit visa, then the United States should stand with the children and 
insist that the government of the DRC act in the best interests of the 
children.
  I urge all members to join me in supporting H. Res. 588 so that we 
can end the suffering and heartbreak currently experienced by so many 
American families and their adopted children from the DRC. It is the 
right thing to do.
  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, today we have a chance to change the lives of 
hundreds of American families, including three families in the Sixth 
District of Kentucky. One of these is the Hatton family, who are 
sitting in the gallery here today.
  These families have legally adopted children from the Democratic 
Republic of Congo, but have been unable to bring their children home 
because their exit permits have been unfairly halted.
  After learning of their struggles, I have been working closely with 
the Department of State and advocating on their behalf because no 
family should be faced with the choice of leaving the newest member of 
their family in another country or remaining in the Congo, further 
splitting up their family and causing a tremendous amount of 
uncertainty and heartache.
  We must do everything in our power to help these American citizens 
and facilitate the travel of their adopted children home to join their 
family in the United States.
  That is why I am a cosponsor of this resolution and thank the member 
from Minnesota for his leadership and support on this issue.
  Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this important 
bipartisan resolution to encourage the Democratic Republic of the Congo 
to resume issuing exit permits so that families can bring their 
adoptive children home to the United States.
  I want to commend my colleague, Representative Collin Peterson, for 
bringing this measure forward. It makes clear that we condemn the use 
of children as political pawns and support the unification of these 
families that have been separated due to arbitrary, bureaucratic, red 
tape.
  As the father of three, I can imagine nothing worse than being 
separated from my children and not being able to love and care for 
them. Unfortunately, this has been a reality for hundreds of American 
families, including two in my district.
  The Riegler's, a family from Muncie, legally adopted their son Chiza 
on August 27, 2013. Almost a year later, he is not home, despite having 
medical needs that can only be properly treated in the United States. 
The Riegler's are not alone in this harrowing experience, other 
families throughout the country are in the same senseless limbo.
  The Department of State must put pressure on the Democratic Republic 
of the Congo to issue exit permits for children that have legally been 
adopted. As exit permits are provided for children deemed medically 
fragile, the State Department must then expeditiously process the 
paperwork to ensure these children are in their parents' arms as soon 
as possible.
  All children have a right to be in a loving family that can provide 
the support they need to become healthy adults. We should not accept 
having to wait years to bring an adopted child home to the United 
States as the best we can do for these children and their parents.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 588, as amended.

[[Page H5842]]

  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``Concerning the suspension of 
exit permit issuance by the Government of the Democratic Republic of 
the Congo for adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country 
with their adoptive parents.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________