Grayson Strengthens Law Against International Child Abduction

Press Release

Congressman Alan Grayson (FL-09) passed an amendment to strengthen the "Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act of 2013' (H.R. 3212) during a House Foreign Affairs Committee markup this morning.

H.R. 3212 aims to protect children from international abduction. The bill empowers the U.S. State Department to help return abducted children to the U.S., and strictly enforce international child abduction provisions of the Hague Convention.

"I'm the father of five children. The very thought of child abduction is a nightmare to me," Grayson commented. "This is an important issue that deserves our attention, and I'm happy to have strengthened it."

Grayson's amendment achieves several important goals. It strengthens international child abduction reporting standards. It requires Members of Congress to be notified of unresolved international child abduction cases in their districts. It also allows the President to withhold economic support for governments that are uncooperative or unwilling to assist in the resolution of child abduction cases.

"If this bill is signed into law, the President would have permanent authority to withhold assistance to offending nations, in order to bring American children home," Grayson explained. "My amendment would also notify Members of Congress of international child abduction cases in their districts, helping us to serve our constituents who face this terrible tragedy."

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