Mr. President. the modification referred to was suggested by the Senator from Rhode Island. and it does not in any way change the fundamental thrust of the amendment. I support the basic thrust of the refugee relief bill that has been reported by the Committee on Foreign Relations. This amendment would provide two steps that I think would strengthen the proposed legislation. First of all. the amendment instructs the President. at the earliest possible time. to conduct a survey among the refugees to learn which of them may be desirous of returning to their own country. We have had numerous reports in the press and some reports from the Senate Subcommittee on Refugees. from the two staff members who are in the Chamber. Mr. deHaan and Mr. Tinker. and others. indicating that a significant number of the refugees. now that the initial panic and hysteria have subsided somewhat. are desirous of returning to their own country. We do not know how many. This amendment would instruct the administration to find out. by a survey conducted among the refugees. Second. the amendment would authorize the use of funds to pay the transportation of those refugees who wish to return. I hope it will be understood by all Senators that this amendment is offered in the same humanitarian spirit as the bill itself. It is my very strong conviction that a sizable number of refugees will choose to return. But we need to find that out. and we need to do it in a thoughtful and systematic way. I have discussed this amendment with the manager of the bill. the chairman of the committee. the Senator from Alabama. and with the ranking member of the committee on the other side of the aisle.
Keywords matched
Refugees refugee refugees