Ft Wayne Times

Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03) and Senator Tom Cotton have introduced a Congressional Review Act aimed at overturning the Biden administration’s Designated Placement rule. The rule, finalized on April 30, 2024, by the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF), mandates that states and tribal child welfare agencies place LGBTQ-identifying children in "Designated Placements" that affirm the child's gender identity and sexual orientation.

The rule has sparked controversy as it requires these placements to support a child's gender identity regardless of their biological sex. Critics argue that this effectively disqualifies many religious families from fostering LGBTQ-identifying children, exacerbating an existing shortage of foster care families. Additionally, it necessitates that state agencies allocate financial resources to recruit and train these "Designated Placements."

Rep. Jim Banks commented, “Despite a nationwide shortage of foster families, the Biden administration’s rule discards well-established, faith-based care providers as second-class placement services, forcing states to invest time and resources into recruiting so-called gender-affirming providers. This is an attack on religious liberty and common sense, and worst of all, it is the children in need of a safe and loving home who will suffer most from this administration’s radical agenda.”

Senator Tom Cotton added, “Faith-based groups lead the effort in Arkansas to provide safe foster homes. The Biden administration’s rule will only hurt children that need a home and the religious organizations that provide this incredibly important work.”

Earlier this year, Rep. Banks introduced the Sensible Adoption for Every (SAFE) Home Act, which seeks to cut funding from child welfare agencies that discriminate against prospective parents who do not support gender transition services for children. Last year, Banks and Cotton also introduced the GUARD Act to make state governments ineligible for Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) funds if they discriminate against parents or guardians opposing medical treatment or social changes related to their child’s preferred gender identity.