Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I am pleased to offer legislation on an issue important to many of our military and government families assigned…”

“I am pleased to offer legislation on an issue important to many of our military and government families assigned overseas. Currently, if one of these families adopts a child who is a citizen of the United States, that child is not automatically eligible for citizenship. Current law allows U.S. citizens residing in the United States to adopt children from overseas and to automatically confer citizenship on these children who are residing in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent. My bill would allow U.S. military and government employees who are stationed overseas and adopt a child to enjoy the same ability to have citizenship automatically conferred. Today many of our service members and government employees are stationed overseas serving their country. Some of these families want to offer their home and their hearts to children needing a good, loving family. The opportunity is often missed by these families because of this oversight in the current law. This amendment will ensure that those who are serving our nation and our government overseas are not penalized when adopting children during their tour.”