Expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children awaiting families, celebrating children and families involved in adoption, and encouraging the people of the United States to secure safety, permanency, and well-being for all children.

Bill Number: H.Res. 855
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Families
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-11-04: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Last Updated: 2025-11-25T17:46:34Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 855) aims to express congressional support for National Adoption Day (observed on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 22 in 2025) and National Adoption Month (November). It seeks to raise national awareness about adoption, particularly for children in foster care awaiting families, celebrate successful adoptions, and urge Americans to prioritize children's safety, permanent homes, and overall well-being through adoption and related family-building options.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes background "Whereas" clauses highlighting key facts and context, followed by three main "Resolved" directives:

Supports the goals and ideals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month as efforts to connect foster children with permanent families.
Recognizes that every child deserves a permanent and loving family to provide nurturing, protection, and stability.
Encourages individuals and families across the United States to consider adoption, especially from the foster care system, during November and year-round.

It references statistics such as 328,947 children in U.S. foster care (with about 49,994 waiting for adoption), average wait times of nearly three years, and 15,590 children at risk of "aging out" without a home in 2023. It also notes the role of the Children's Bureau in reducing adoption barriers and the success of National Adoption Day since 2000, which has helped over 85,000 children find permanent families.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, not a law or bill that amends statutes. It introduces no changes to existing legal frameworks, such as adoption processes, foster care regulations, or federal programs. Instead, it builds on traditions like the President's annual proclamation for National Adoption Month and ongoing efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Potential Impacts

On citizens: May increase public awareness and reduce misconceptions about foster care adoption (e.g., eligibility and processes), potentially leading to more inquiries and adoptions, which could benefit the roughly 50,000 waiting children and prevent more from aging out of the system without support.
On government agencies: Reinforces the work of the Children's Bureau (part of the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families) in supporting adoption programs, research, and barrier removal, but imposes no new requirements or funding.
On international relations: Indirectly promotes awareness of intercountry adoption as one option for permanency, alongside domestic and kinship care, but has no direct foreign policy effects.

Overall, impacts are symbolic and educational, fostering cultural emphasis on family stability without enforceable mandates.

Main Stakeholders

Children in foster care: Primary beneficiaries, including the 328,947 in the U.S. system and those awaiting adoption, who gain visibility for their need for permanent homes.
Prospective and current adoptive families: Encouraged to expand or form families through adoption, kinship care, or reunification.
Adoption and foster care professionals: Including agencies, social workers, and the Children's Bureau, whose efforts in promoting permanency are highlighted.
The general public: Targeted to build broader understanding and participation in adoption awareness.
Bipartisan lawmakers: Over 40 cosponsors from both major parties demonstrate widespread political support for the initiative.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no binding force and does not create enforceable rights or obligations; it operates within Congress's power to express policy preferences without altering laws.
Constitutional: Aligns with the government's role in promoting general welfare (under the Preamble) but raises no constitutional challenges, focusing on voluntary social encouragement rather than mandates.
Political: Demonstrates strong bipartisan consensus (with cosponsors from diverse regions and parties), signaling unified congressional priority on child welfare issues. It could influence future legislation on foster care reform but serves mainly as a platform for advocacy during National Adoption Month.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4]

Cosponsors (50)

Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]

Recent Actions

2025-11-04: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
2025-11-04: Submitted in House
2025-11-04: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

Expressing support for the goals of National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month by promoting national awareness of adoption and the children awaiting families, celebrating children and families involved in adoption, and encouraging the people of the United States to secure safety, permanency, and well-being for all children. — issued 2025-11-04 — PDF (3 pages)