Chairman. I rise in opposition to the amendment of the gentleman from Pennsylvania. It would be a mistake not to provide 100percent reimbursement to the States and localities for expenses incurred in connection with the refugee program. Many cities and States are in serious financial condition. In my own State of Massachusetts. the Governor is making substantial reductions in State expenditures for health. education. and other vital social welfare programs. The Federal Government should not further strain the resources of our States with the Vietnamese refugees. The Vietnamese war was an enterprise of the Federal Government. and a seriously misguided one. By the same token. the Vietnamese evacuation was a Federal enterprise. and a worthwhile. charitable one. But the charitable instincts of a nation should not have their costs borne by the States and localities. If everyones intentions prove true. and there is no particular impact of these refugees on a specific State or part of the country. then the program will not be continued. In most cases those refugees in need will be eligible for existing programs such as SSI and medicaid. and they can be paid for. under the regular FederalState maching grant formula. But until we determine what the impact is going to be on different parts of the country. we should fund this program on a 100percent Federal reimbursable basis. We need to get better estimates of the needs of these refugees and the demands which they will place on State and local resources. For that reason. Mr.
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