I am anxious to see the conference report worked out by the House and Senate and final passage accomplished. Hunger and disease will not abate while we pause to decide. There are nearly a million refugees. displaced by war. in desperate need of food. shelter. and basic medical care. This bill authorizes an appropriation not to exceed $150 million for humanitarian assistance and an evacuation in Vietnam. and $73 million of that appropriation would be for aid to the refugees. In addition. this bill lifts dollar ceilings and other restrictions in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1974 relating to Vietnam. thereby permitting about $177 million in funds already appropriated for Indochina economic aid to be used in Vietnam. I feel. as we all do. a deep concern for these people devastated by war. and my primary consideration in dealing with this legislation is to see that aid gets to them as quickly as is humanly possible.
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refugees