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Klobuchar Calls for Swift Finalization of U.S.-Russia Adoption Agreement

June 18, 2010

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar called on U.S. and Russian negotiators to quickly finalize a new agreement strengthening the adoption process between the two countries.  

“This agreement is a necessary step to ensuring that intercountry adoptions between Russia and the United States continue,” said Klobuchar.  “While there are issues that still need to be worked out, it is important that we reach a resolution swiftly so that loving American families can continue to welcome Russian children into their homes.”

Russia and the United States began negotiating new intercountry adoption procedures in April after an American mother returned her adopted child to Russia on a plane by himself.  Following the incident, Klobuchar sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton requesting that the State Department work closely with the Russian government to prevent the suspension of Russia’s U.S. adoption program.  Kobuchar also joined a bipartisan group of members of Congress to call on Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to continue to process U.S. adoptions.  The adoption agreement has not yet been signed by either party, but U.S. and Russian officials said this week that they are close to concluding negotiations.

Klobuchar is currently working on legislation to increase pre- and post-adoption support services for American families. This spring Klobuchar also introduced legislation to streamline and simplify the international adoption process for American families.  The Adoption Fairness Act will ensure that all international adoptees receive their certificate of U.S. citizenship in a timely manner at no cost to the adoptive family.

Klobuchar was also actively involved in helping Minnesota families with pending adoptions in Haiti following the devastating earthquake that struck the island on January 12, 2010. Minnesota has one of the highest international adoption rates of any state.  

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