I am somewhat concerned in that from past experience we have found that actions of this type are just the tip of the iceberg. I know we all like to get a good idea of where we are going. I notice that on the last page of the report the committee indicates that in spite of its hearings. they do not really know at this point how many refugees we are concerned with. and likewise no dollar amount is put on it because we do not know how much we are concerned with. I think we should learn a little bit from history. in that the first year of the Cuban refugee program. as I recall. we were talking about something less than 50.000 refugees. and we spent about $35 million. Then that went up to $60 million and then $70 million and then $120 million and then $130 million. I think. according to the analysis presented. last year we spent $125 million on the Cuban refugees. a large portion of that for reimbursing Florida and some other States for welfare. In any event. by and large. to date our known cost for Cuban refugees is about $1 billion. Costs have gone up about 100 percent since those early days when the Cubans came in. and I am just wondering now if we are not laying the foundation. despite the fact that we have a time limit on this bill. for perhaps a $2 billion or $3 billion expenditure. Considering that.
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