[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 14 (Thursday, January 23, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 CHINA

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today marks 5 years since the Robinson 
family of Iowa City, IA, has been matched with their adoptive child way 
over in China. Sadly, this is not a celebratory anniversary of that 
date, as the Robinson family, along with 300 other American families, 
have yet to be unified with their adoptive children, many with unique 
medical needs.
  You see, in August of 2024, China very abruptly ended its 
intercountry adoption program without even clarifying what that would 
mean for the families already matched with their child.
  The Chinese Embassy cited that cross-border adoption has fulfilled 
its mission for the country, as now many more Chinese families have 
stronger will and capacity to adopt the orphans in China. While that is 
good news for those orphans, the country has made a commitment to 
American families that is not being kept. China still hasn't given a 
straight answer on whether these matched cases will be completed.
  I have been told that families from other countries have been invited 
to travel to complete their adoptions but not Americans. Why not 
Americans?
  It has been 5 years since families like the Robinsons have prepared 
their homes to welcome these adoptive children, 5 years of a developed 
familiar relationship.
  I hope that President Trump and the incoming administration see that 
these matched adoption cases be completed. President Trump talks about 
wanting to meet with Xi, have more friendly relationships with 
President Xi. Hopefully this is an environment that can bring the 
Robinsons and their child together.

  China made a commitment, and I think and everybody thinks China ought 
to honor its commitment. China ought to do that for no reason other 
than they want the respect of the world. They seem to be working to get 
that respect, and when people question that respect, they get very 
uptight about it.

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