Legislation (H.Res. 915) authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) in response to a New Jersey couple whose adoption of Ukrainian siblings was abruptly upended when Russia invaded Ukraine in March 2022 passed the House of Representatives today in an overwhelming vote of 372-6.

            During House debate on his resolution, Smith shared the story of Matt and Deidre Gordon, who were in the final stage of adopting Bogdan and Galena—an orphan brother and sister—when Ukraine suspended intercountry adoptions after Russia’s brutal invasion.

            “My legislation respectfully urges the Government of Ukraine to review and modify its decision to suspend adoption by foreign nationals—for loving adoptive parents like the Gordons,” said Smith.

            “The Gordons had been vetted and approved as adoptive parents by both the U.S. and Ukrainian governments,” Smith said. “They had a strong bond and relationship with Bogdan and Galena who had spent precious time with them at their home in New Jersey, including regular contact and two long homestays totaling five months.”

            “Matt and Deidre Gordon and many other Americans were nearing the end of the process, which then ground to a halt, leaving these two children—and others—stranded,” Smith said. “Now, more than two and half years later, there are hundreds of other children and U.S. families in the same or similar situations.”

            Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), who cosponsored the resolution, said: “Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine has caused chaos in the region and been detrimental to the safety of Ukrainian children. It’s understandable why the government of Ukraine suspended these adoptions, but for the American families who were already going through the adoption process, met with these children, and formed strong bonds with them, it’s devastating. Folks across the U.S. stand ready with open arms to provide a healthy, safe, and stable environment for these children who deserve a home. By passing this resolution, we are urging the government of Ukraine to allow these adoptions to proceed so that these folks can start their new families.”  

            Specifically, Smith’s resolution recommends as particularly urgent the finalization of any adoption in which adoptive U.S. parents have already had their dossiers vetted and approved by the Ukrainian Government—and in which the adoptability of children has already been confirmed.

            Smith thanked Matt and Deidre Gordon for bringing the needs of these Ukrainian children to his attention as well as former New Jersey State Senator Ray Lesniak and New Jersey international family law attorney Patricia Apy for their tremendous input in crafting the legislation.

            “Congressman Smith came through on behalf of these Ukrainian orphans and their future families, two from New Jersey,” said Lesniak. “I thank him and all the cosponsors who made this vote happen. I hope Ukraine officials take notice and resume these adoptions by American families as they have for their own residents.” 

            Smith is the prime author of the 1989 law designating National Adoption Week, as well the prime author of the $5,000 refundable adoption tax credit—which he first introduced in Congress in 1990—that was eventually incorporated in the 1994 Contract with America, leading to its enactment into law in 1996. That credit has been expanded over the years.

            Smith has also authored several landmark laws on child protection issues, including the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act, and International Megan’s Law.

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