Amid partisan conflict in Congress, dozens of lawmakers from both parties have united behind a bill that would encourage more adoptions of foreign orphans by Americans.
The bill reflects dismay that such adoptions have been declining, as well as impatience with current policies overseen by the State Department.
The Children in Families First Act was initiated by Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, and has been introduced in the Senate and House. Co-sponsors include Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a hero of the Democratic left, and Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, a favorite of tea party conservatives.
The bill would create a new State Department bureau assigned to work with non-governmental organizations and foreign countries to minimize the number of children without families. Adoption would be one of several means to achieve this.