SRES-115-118
Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1608; text: 03/16/2023 CR S834)
Sponsored by Thomas Tillis (R-NC)
What it does
This resolution formally recognizes April 2023 as "Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month" and expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should raise public awareness of the harm caused by international parental child abduction. It does not create new law, appropriate funds, or impose any legal obligations on any person, agency, or foreign government. It urges the United States to continue a leadership role in educating the public about the emotional, psychological, and physical consequences of international parental child abduction.
Who benefits
Left-behind parents in the United States whose children have been taken abroad without their consent. Children who are abducted and may benefit from increased public awareness and diplomatic pressure. Advocacy organizations such as the Coalition to End International Parental Child Abduction, which gain visibility and congressional validation. The Office of Children's Issues at the State Department, which may receive increased public engagement. Families in the 102 countries where U.S. citizen child abduction cases were identified in 2021.
Who is hurt
This resolution has no direct legal or financial effect on any group. Indirectly, parents who have taken children abroad without custodial consent may face increased diplomatic and public pressure. Countries identified as noncompliant with the Hague Convention — including Japan, India, Brazil, and others listed in the resolution — may face reputational pressure, though the resolution creates no new enforcement mechanism.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that between 2010 and 2020, 9,816 children were reported abducted from the United States, and that the majority have not been reunited with their custodial parents — demonstrating a persistent, serious problem. They contend that raising public awareness is a necessary complement to existing legal tools like the Hague Convention and the Sean and David Goldman Act, helping parents recognize warning signs and use prevention programs like the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program before abduction occurs.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that the Senate has passed nearly identical resolutions in 2012, 2018, 2019, and 2022, and that repeated awareness declarations without new enforcement mechanisms or additional resources produce diminishing returns. They contend that the resolution's lack of binding authority means it does nothing to compel noncompliant countries — such as those repeatedly listed under the Goldman Act — to return abducted children, and that congressional energy would be better directed toward legislation with enforceable consequences.