May 18, 2001 URGENT RESPONSE REQUIRED! Adoption tax credit legislation on fast track in Senate! The Hope for Children Act (H.R. 622) passed overwhelming yesterday morning in the House and in the evening was debated in the Senate. Senators Larry Craig and Mary Landrieu introduced an amended version of the bill, which was introduced in the Senate Jan 23, (See archives for original bill.) The amended Senate bill S.148, The Hope for Children Act Landrieu-Craig Amendment, includes a critical provision for special needs adoptions. A vote on S.148, to extend and expand the adoption tax credit, is scheduled for Monday, May 21, as part of the Senate tax reconciliation bill. If this amendment is added, then the adoption tax credit is on a fast track since House and Senate Republican leadership hope to complete the tax reconciliation bill next week and send the final conference version to President Bush before the Memorial Day recess. URGENT! ACT NOW! Please NOTE: The direct link below is for 2 letters. Senate letter: "Support Adoption Tax Credit Amendment". THEN, FOLLOW THE PROMPTS TO House letter: "Futher Support for The Hope for Children Act" Enter your zip code and click go.

Sample letter: Dear Senator (Senator's name), As your constituent, I am asking you to support the Landrieu-Craig Hope for Children Act Amendment. This amendment to improve the adoption tax credit so that it is available for special needs adoption is critical. To truly meet the needs of waiting children in the U.S., they must all benefit from this tax credit. Without the special needs provision, there will not be equity for all adoptive families. All children deserve loving families. Children with special needs must not be left out of this legislation. The families who adopt children with special needs make a life long commitment which is considerable. The Landrieu-Craig Amendment will assist them in providing loving homes to these children and offer an important incentive to encourage more families to adopt children with special needs. Please vote in favor of the Landrieu-Craig Hope for Children Act Amendment. Sincerely, Original legislation Jan. 2001 Landrieu-Craig Amendment Senator Larry Craig statement Senator Mary Landrieu statement The Christian Science Monitor article

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