Senators speak out for Haitian orphans

Senators speak out for Haitian orphans

TAGS: Senate, Haiti, Mary Landrieu, Frank Lautenberg, Orphans

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By JAMES HOHMANN | 1/27/10 4:41 AM EST

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Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), eager to capitalize on the goodwill engendered by the month's earthquake, held a news conference with six other senators to push a bill that would create a new office in the State Department that coordinates adoption policy.

Photo: AP

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POLITICO 44

A bipartisan group of senators pushed Tuesday for the federal government to ease requirements for Americans to adopt Haitian orphans.

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), eager to capitalize on the goodwill engendered by the month’s earthquake, held a news conference with six other senators to push a bill that would create a new office in the State Department that coordinates adoption policy.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) cited a letter he’s working on to the Department of Homeland Security that urges the government to allow orphans with relatives in the U.S. to enter the country.

“There is a need for law changes, and we intend to use this opportunity to give these bills the attention that they deserve,” Landrieu said. “Most of the red tape is on the U.S. side of the process. ... It’s aggravating.”