SRES-914-118
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6734; text: CR S6730)
Sponsored by Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
What it does
This is a Senate resolution that expresses the Senate's support for National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. It promotes public awareness of adoption and of children in foster care awaiting permanent families. It encourages people in the United States to consider adoption and to support the safety, permanency, and well-being of children.
Who benefits
Children currently in foster care awaiting adoption may benefit from increased public awareness that could lead to more prospective adoptive parents coming forward. Adoption agencies and advocacy organizations may benefit from the added visibility that a Senate resolution provides. Families who have adopted, or who are in the process of adopting, are symbolically recognized and celebrated by the resolution.
Who is hurt
This resolution carries no binding legal requirements, spending provisions, or mandates, so no specific group faces a direct material harm. Some critics of symbolic resolutions may argue that congressional time and resources are spent on non-binding measures rather than substantive legislation, though the practical cost of a unanimous consent resolution is minimal.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that congressional resolutions serve a meaningful public awareness function by lending the authority and visibility of the U.S. Senate to important social causes. They contend that tens of thousands of children remain in foster care awaiting permanent families each year, and that any effort to increase public awareness — including a formal Senate statement — can encourage more families to consider adoption. Supporters also argue that celebrating existing adoptive families and children affirms their dignity and contributions to communities across the country, at essentially no cost to taxpayers.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that non-binding resolutions like this one consume limited legislative floor time and staff resources without producing any enforceable change in law, funding, or policy. They contend that if Congress genuinely wants to improve outcomes for children in foster care, it should focus on substantive legislation — such as funding for child welfare services or changes to adoption law — rather than symbolic statements. Critics may also note that a resolution expressing support for a pre-existing awareness month adds little beyond what the executive branch and private organizations already do to promote adoption.