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U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today released the following statement on Russian President Vladimir Putin signing legislation barring American families from adopting Russian children:

"It is shameful and appalling that President Putin has signed legislation barring American families from adopting Russian children. The effects of this legislation are cruel and malicious: Thousands of Russian babies and children who had a chance for a loving home and a better future will now be denied that opportunity - an opportunity that has changed the lives of more than 60,000 Russian children since 1992.

"The idea that this legislation is any way comparable to the U.S. Congress's passage of the Magnitsky Act is utterly baseless. Our law singles out and punishes individual Russian officials who are corrupt and complicit in gross human rights abuses; Russia's barring of adoptions broadly punishes the neediest, most defenseless, and most innocent members of its own society.

In fact, this action by President Putin and the Russian parliament only affirms the purpose of the Magnitsky Act - namely, the need to defend the human rights and dignity of the Russian people - and makes the implementation of that law all the more essential.

"I often wonder how much lower the Russian government under President Putin can stoop. But to punish innocent babies and children over a political disagreement between our governments is a new low, even for Putin's Russia."