Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on the announcement that the Democratic Republic of the Congo will allow 159 children adopted by foreign parents to depart the country:

“An open and transparent adoption process is extraordinarily important for the well-being of children all around the world, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where there are more than 4 million orphans. 

“It’s great news that a large number of Congolese adoptions will be finalized. For too long, nearly two dozen Californian families waited in administrative limbo as they sought to provide loving homes to Congolese children, so I’m pleased to see many of their cases resolved.

“There are still more cases to resolve, and it is my hope that the Interministerial Commission in Kinshasa will expeditiously review and approve the remaining cases by the end of March, as they’ve committed to do.”

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