Representatives Aderholt, Miller and Brecheen Send Letter to HHS Demanding Change to Rule that Targets Faith Based Adoption Groups

WASHINGTON — Monday, Representatives Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Mary Miller (IL-15), and Josh Brecheen (OK-02) wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) demanding recission of a new proposed rule that would target and penalize faith-based child welfare providers. The rule, if finalized, would require state child welfare agencies to ensure the availability of “safe and appropriate” placements and services for children in foster care who identify as “LGBTQI[AF1] +”. The new requirement stands to harm faith-based providers as it could mitigate their availability and involvement within the child welfare system.

“The number of children who need homes continues to grow; yet the number of available foster homes is steadily declining, and the Biden Administration is doing nothing to help with that discrepancy,” said Rep. Aderholt. “In fact, the rule proposed by HHS does nothing but harm children in foster care and push an extreme agenda. It’s clear the administration cares only about their radical left party, not about American values, families, or children.”

“Here are the facts: we know that America is facing a foster care shortage and that 65% of non-kin foster parents attend religious services weekly,” said Congressman Brecheen. “So why is the Biden Administration pursuing a dangerous, far-Left agenda that unfairly targets the same faith-based families who are much more likely to open up their homes compared to the general population? We call on Biden’s bureaucrats to rescind this proposed rule, stand up for children who need homes, and end its war against American values.”

The presumption by HHS is that faith-based providers are incapable of providing safe and loving homes for children who identify as “LGBTQI+”. The inhibition of placement in faith-based foster homes decreases the likelihood of a child finding a home.

Furthermore, the rule would assume that to not affirm a child’s gender identity or sexual orientation is considered “abuse”, a precedent that could have astronomical impacts, both legally and emotionally, on children and parents.

Religious providers serve a crucial role in the child welfare system, and as the letter highlights, “studies have revealed that 82% of families point to faith-based or church support as a factor for successful fostering”; thus, undermining their involvement in foster care would diminish chances of successful foster placements.

Finally, the letter recognizes the implications of the rule on individual states. The financial and administrative burdens would fall to state agencies that would now be expected to financially support at least half of the initiatives provided by the rule. Further, it diminishes the autonomy of the self-regulation of states and their child welfare systems.

“The ultimate goal of the child welfare system is to ensure the safety and security of every child,” said Aderholt. “Decreasing the number of opportunities for a child to find a home because of sincerely held religious and moral convictions is harmful and unlawful. We demand that the Biden Administration do what is right.”

Reps. Aderholt, Miller and Brecheen were additionally joined by Reps. Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Ben Cline (VA-06), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Erin Houchin (IN-09), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Rich McCormick (GA-06), Andrew Ogles (TN-05), Christopher Smith (NJ-04), and Gregory Steube (FL-17) in sending this letter.

The full letter can be found here.