Suspension of Exit Permits

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, today we have a chance to change the lives of hundreds of American families, including three families in the Sixth District of Kentucky. One of these is the Hatton family, who are sitting in the gallery here today.

These families have legally adopted children from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but have been unable to bring their children home because their exit permits have been unfairly halted.

After learning of their struggles, I have been working closely with the Department of State and advocating on their behalf because no family should be faced with the choice of leaving the newest member of their family in another country or remaining in the Congo, further splitting up their family and causing a tremendous amount of uncertainty and heartache.

We must do everything in our power to help these American citizens and facilitate the travel of their adopted children home to join their family in the United States.

That is why I am a cosponsor of this resolution and thank the member from Minnesota for his leadership and support on this issue.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source