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Read. Follow. Verify.Congressional Hearing: Update on the Goldman Act and International Child Abduction
Record date · January 1, 2018
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What This Bill Does
This hearing transcript documents a 2018 Congressional review of the , a law designed to address international parental child abduction. Witnesses discussed the ongoing challenges of returning children abducted to foreign countries and the effectiveness of current U.S. government efforts.
The hearing addresses the status of approximately 800 American children currently held in foreign countries, evaluating whether federal enforcement of the is successfully securing their return to the United States.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Parents of abducted children
These individuals are seeking the return of their children from foreign jurisdictions.
U.S. Department of State
The agency is responsible for implementing the Goldman Act and managing international child abduction cases.
Key Facts
- Approximately 800 children are currently held in foreign countries, separated from their American parent.
- Only 16 percent of abducted children are returned to the United States, based on historical data.
- The hearing was held on April 11, 2018, by the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations.
- The hearing focused on the implementation and effectiveness of the Goldman Act.
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- Witnesses included representatives from the U.S. Department of State, private family law practice, and a parent affected by international abduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Goldman Act?
How many children are currently abducted internationally?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Low Success Rate of Returns
The hearing highlights a significant policy challenge: historically, only 16 percent of abducted children are successfully returned to the U.S.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment20Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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