Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA), joined by Congressman Tim Burchett (R-TN), and Congressman Randy Fine (R-FL), introduced two landmark bills at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol targeting child exploitation and closing yet another loophole that’s endangering our National security. The “Protecting Kids from Creeps Act” (H.R. 9131) imposes penalties on surrogacy agencies that enter into agreements with sex offenders. The “Preventing International Surrogacy Exploitation Act (H.R. 9132),” prohibits foreign nationals from obtaining children through a U.S.-based surrogacy agency.

“There was a time in our society when the welfare of a child was of the highest concern; however, regarding the commercial surrogacy process, that’s not the case – at least not enough. The lack of legal guardrails in many states allow sex offenders and other criminals to obtain children via surrogate.  One instance of child endangerment is one too many, and a recent case in Pennsylvania – for which there’s no state law to prevent – was absolutely mind numbing. I was stunned not only about the cavalier attitude regarding babies for sale – like commodities – but also the lack of due diligence to ensure the child’s safety; not even a criminal background check, let alone actually selling a baby to a sex offender? It’s more difficult to rescue a dog from a shelter than it is for a sex offender to purchase a child. It’s horrifying, and it’s disgusting. 

Perry continued, “With regard to the international commercial surrogacy process – or “birth tourism” – it’s being exploited by wealthy foreigners who get the benefits of children who later provide dual citizenship for the foreign parent.  The fact that a foreign national can just order babies from the U.S. – 200 in one case from China – and just drive somewhere to pick up their unseen, unknown child like a cheeseburger is ethically and morally outrageous, and it’s also imperiling our National security. This is child exploitation at minimum, slavery and child trafficking at worst, and a means by which our adversaries can gain future access to our Country.  There’s a reason so many other countries ban “birth tourism” – ironically, China is one of them. It’s ludicrous that nothing’s been done here to stop this thus far.”

“I’m proud to cosponsor Congressman Perry’s Protecting Kids from Creeps Act and Preventing International Surrogacy Exploitation Act. These bills stop sex offenders from purchasing children through surrogacy and prevent foreign nationals from exploiting the system to obtain American passports. We will always put our kids first and shut down these predators,” said Congressman Fine.

“Perry is one of those Members of Congress who takes a stand on the tough issues. Why are there not more Members here? Well, dadgum it, I’ll tell you why; because you got money on one side, and you got the people on the other, and so many times the people get stomped on and in this case, it’s little kids, and it sickens me to my core,” said Congressman Burchett. “The “Protecting Kids from Creeps Act” aligns with policy I’ve been working on since I was in the state legislature. Our children are our future; they deserve to be protected. A sex offender, these dirtbags, we need to send them all to hell, but they have no right to obtain a child through surrogacy. The U.S. birth clause also needs to be protected. Birth tourism has risen dramatically over the last decade, I mean what the hell are we thinking as a Nation – “birth tourism” - how is that even possible in this day and age? This is the type of bill there ought to be very little discussion about and gets to the President. Call on your legislators.”

Other agencies and subject matter experts also weighed in on the critical nature of these bills.“Congressman Perry's Preventing International Surrogacy Exploitation Act closes a glaring loophole that foreign adversaries—especially China—have exploited to manufacture American citizens for geopolitical advantage. Under the current interpretation of birthright citizenship, cross-border commercial surrogacy has enabled a high-tech form of birth tourism that puts citizenship up for sale and allows foreign nationals to sidestep traditional immigration pathways banking on a green card the moment their surrogate-born child turns 21, despite that child being raised entirely abroad. This bill puts the security of our nation and the welfare of children ahead of the profits of a largely unregulated industry. This common-sense legislation reflects the courageous leadership Congressman Perry has consistently shown in defending American sovereignty, protecting vulnerable women and children, and refusing to let political convenience stand in the way of doing what is right,” said Emma Waters, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center for Technology and the Human Person, The Heritage Foundation.

According to Kallie Fell, Executive Director for the Center for Bioethics and Culture, "For far too long, reproductive technologies and the commercial surrogacy industry have advanced faster than the laws designed to govern them. As surrogacy has become increasingly commercialized, globalized, and complex, meaningful safeguards for women and children have too often been treated as an afterthought.  Commercial surrogacy has created a marketplace in which children can be bought, sold, and transferred across borders through contractual arrangements that too often prioritize the desires of adults over the rights and welfare of children. Congressman Perry's legislation confronts two of the most troubling consequences of this industry: the exploitation and commodification inherent in international surrogacy arrangements, and the placement of children into situations that would not be permitted under U.S. adoption law. Children should never be treated as products of a contractual transaction, nor should public policy ignore the vulnerabilities created by a rapidly expanding fertility marketplace. We’re proud to support these bills and commend Congressman Perry for his leadership in advancing policies that protect vulnerable women and children while placing the dignity, safety, and best interests of children first."

Terry Schilling, President, American Principles Project (APP):  "Surrogacy violates the dignity of all parties involved, reducing kids to property and rendering moms and dads disposable. And now this for-profit industry is even selling kids to sex offenders and foreigners to pad its bottom line. These abuses must end. These bills put the safety of children first, ensuring that bad actors no longer prey on vulnerable mothers. APP commends Rep. Perry for his leadership on this critical issue."

"Unregulated surrogacy allows foreign nationals to exploit a glaring backdoor in our immigration laws to secure automatic citizenship and future immigration benefits. Congressman Perry’s Preventing International Surrogacy Exploitation Act shuts this loophole down by completely voiding these international contracts and denying any subsequent immigration status derived from them. We applaud Congressman Perry for prioritizing the rule of law and protecting national sovereignty,” said Grant Newman, Director of Government Relations, Immigration Accountability Project.