Wicker presses Russians to ease adoption ban

Wicker presses Russians to ease adoption ban

Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi has joined other lawmakers in ramping up pressure on Russian officials to reverse or loosen a new law banning American families from adopting Russian children.

Wicker joined a bipartisan group of about 12 senators who met privately Wednesday in the Capitol with Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak. The lawmakers made an emotional plea to allow about 50 adoptions — in which Russian children have been matched with American families and the proceedings are nearly finalized — to move forward despite the ban.

The hour-long meeting was the latest in a series of moves by lawmakers to confront Russia over its new policy.

Clarion Ledger
1/31/13