S.Res. 502: A resolution concerning the suspension of exit permit issuance by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo for adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents.

S.Res. 502: A resolution concerning the suspension of exit permit issuance by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo for adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents.

113th Congress · introduced 2014-07-15 · Immigration · Latest: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR 8/1/2014 S5313--5314; text as passed Senate: CR 8/1/2014 S5313-5313)

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Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2014-07-15 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR 8/1/2014 S5313--5314; text as passed Senate: CR 8/1/2014 S5313-5313) Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

A resolution concerning the suspension of exit permit issuance by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo for adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents.

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on July 29, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Affirms that all children deserve a safe, loving, and permanent family. Recognizes the importance of ensuring that international adoptions of all children are conducted in an ethical and transparent manner. Expresses concern over the impact on children and families caused by the current suspension of exit permit issuance within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Requests that such government: (1) resume processing adoption cases and issuing exit permits via the Ministry of Gender and Family's Interministerial Adoption Committee and Directorate of General Migration; (2) prioritize the processing of intercountry adoptions which were initiated before the suspension, and (3) expedite the processing of adoptions involving medically fragile children. Encourages continued dialogue and cooperation between the Department of State and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to improve the intercountry adoption process and ensure the welfare of all children adopted from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

A Yea supports adopting this resolution.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

A resolution concerning the suspension of exit permit issuance by the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo for adopted Congolese children seeking to depart the country with their adoptive parents.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate amended)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH] · 61 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Boozman (R-AR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Susan M. Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Rand Paul (R-KY), John Thune (R-SD), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), John Hoeven (R-ND), Patty Murray (D-WA) and 1 more.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)

Resolution: A formal statement or decision by a legislative body. Simple resolutions often only express an opinion or set rules for one chamber; they do not become law.
Roll-call vote: A vote where each member's position is recorded by name, so the public can see how every member voted. "Yea" means yes, "Nay" means no, "Present" means the member was there but did not take a side.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate amended)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-113sres502.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/113/sres>

Record fed-us-cong113-sres502 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong113 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong113