Passage of Congressman's bipartisan resolution latest step to reuniting families
Washington, D.C. - The United States House of Representatives today passed H.Res 588?a resolution that Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) introduced with Rep. Collin Peterson (MN-07) and a bipartisan coalition?in an overwhelming and bipartisan fashion. The resolution officially requests that the Congolese government resume processing adoption cases and issuing exit permits which have been stalled, keeping parents like Michael and Erin Peat of Dubuque from bringing home their two children.
"It's clear that the issue of uniting these families has bipartisan support?and that's in line with the overwhelming support I've seen from Iowans who want to see this issue resolved," Braley said. "We need to keep up the pressure on the Congolese government until all of the American families currently living in limbo are able to bring their children home."
Less than a week ago, Braley wrote to Speaker Boehner urging him to quickly bring up the legislation for a vote in the House.
Hundreds of families have had their adoptions suspended, but the Peats are one of only about 50 families that have had it occur at such a late stage in the process. They were granted their adoption visa by the United States. However, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) suddenly refused to issue exit letters, which is the final step allowing families to bring their children to the United States.
In June, Braley met with Erin Peat and other families from Clear Lake, Bettendorf, and West Des Moines who are facing delays in their adoptions from the DRC.
Braley has written the Congolese Prime Minister, the Congolese Ambassador to the United States, and Secretary of State John Kerry calling for a resolution to this issue.
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