Marino, Bass Denounce Russian Ban on U.S. Adoptions

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Tom Marino (R-PA) issued the following statement with colleague U.S. Representative Karen Bass (D-CA) in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to sign into law legislation that will ban American adoptions of Russian children. Rep. Marino and Rep. Bass are co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and both sit on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"The politically motivated actions of President Putin are deeply disturbing and put the welfare of innocent children in jeopardy. While these actions may be in response to a recent U.S. sanction against human rights violators in Russia, there is no justification for using a human life as a means for retribution. Our focus must remain on the children who will now be denied the opportunity to grow up in a loving home, with parents who care for them. We urge President Putin to reconsider his position and repeal this law."

Note: On December 26, the upper parliamentary house unanimously passed legislation that would ban the adoption of Russian orphans by United States citizens. President Putin signed the bill into law on Friday morning. The law will go into full effect on January 1, 2013 and will include the ban against American families who have already begun the adoption process.

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