Dan Coats: “over the past 25 years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of children born out of wedlock, children being…”

“over the past 25 years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of children born out of wedlock, children being raised by single parents, and children entering the foster care system because of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Family disintegration is widespread. At the same time we have experienced an increase in family disintegration, we have seen a sharp decrease in the number of children being adopted, with formal adoptions dropping by almost 50 percent: from 89,000 in 1970 to a fairly constant 50,000 annually throughout the 1980's into the 1990's. On any given day, 37,000 children in foster care are legally free and waiting--to be adopted. Why are children waiting? Why aren't families adopting? The reason, I propose, is not a lack of compassion on the part of families. Many thousands of families would be eager to adopt were it not for the costs can be prohibitive for working class families. The average cost of an adoption is $14,000 and it is not uncommon for this figure to reach upwards of $25,000. Adoption is the compassionate response to children in need of a home. Yet, there is currently inequity in the tax system. While certain medical expenses related to the conception, delivery, and birth of a child may be deducted as medical expenses, no similar relief is available for adoptive families. Mr. President, I, like many of my colleagues know the sacrifice required of parents. Children require 100 percent of us, 100 percent of the time.…”