Speech #940057236

I shall not take too much time on this bill because all the issues were discussed in connection with the authorizing legislation which we just adopted a few minutes ago. Mr. Chairman. this bill provides for a total of $405 million for assistance to refugees from Cambodia and South Vietnam. This amount is $102 million less than that requested by President Ford on May 6 and also $102 million less than the amount we authorized just a few moments ago. In making this appropriation. the committae affirms its belief that this Nation has a responsibility to provide emergency temporary assistance to these refugees. in keeping with its historical tradition of helping those who seek the shelter of the United States because of political or religious persecution. In making the funding recommendations contained in this bill. the committee wants to make it clear that at this time it is impossible to determine how many refugees will finally be processed. or the actual percapita cost that will be involved in this refugee operation. Because of the current fluid situation and the lack of availability of hard figures at this time. the committee felt that Congress should move cautiously in this area until the situation begins to stabilze. The appropriation is divided into two different categories. one category is under the Department of State. and the other is under the Department of Health. Education. and Welfare. The committee recommends an appropriation of $305 million for the Department of State item. a reduction of $77 million below the budget request of $382 million. We made this reduction because we felt that the percapita costs of taking care of the refugees were just a little high and because the Number of refugees requiring aid was not fully known at this time. Some of these programs will require major obligations to be made early in the year and if those amounts are reduced too drastically there is a possibility the refugees will have to be held at the staging areas longer. Under the Department of Health. Education. and Welfare item. they asked for $125 million an.d we recommend $100 million. a reduction of $25 million. I can assure the Members. Mr. Chairman. that this is a very tight bill and I believe this is the very minimum by which we can handle the refugees.