The Nation - News from Sept. 14, 1989

President Bush sent Congress legislation to provide tax breaks to parents who adopt children who are difficult to place for reasons such as physical or mental handicaps or age. Bush, who has an adopted grandchild of his own, said there are 30,000 “special-needs” children available for adoption. Bush’s plan would provide a $3,000 tax deduction to families for costs incurred in adopting a special-needs child. A separate bill would provide additional benefits for federal employees who adopt such children. In a four-year program, the employees would be eligible for reimbursement of up to $2,000.