Specifically. my amendment would exempt from an acrosstheboard cut the appropriations for the Middle East. a region of extreme sensitivity in which we have vital interests. EJ 1110 It would also exempt health and nutrition accounts which attempt to deal with the most pressing problems of the poorest people in the world. My amendment would also exempt refugee assistance. None of the acrosstheboard cuts in their present form. either MILLER of Ohio or OBEY. would exempt refugee assistance. If there is anything that presents this country. and indeed the entire world. with a challenge. it is the horrendous situation in Indochina with regard to refugees. For us to adopt an acrosstheboard cut which reduces the funds we have previously provided in this bill for refugee assistance would be the height of irresponsibility. and I think that this refugee example points up very well the problem of an acrosstheboard cut. It does not distinguish between the most important and the least important things. In this case the amendments presently before us would cut refugee assistance. and for that reason alone they should be rejected. But. as I say. if the membership believes it necessary to adopt some additional cut. let us exempt refugee assistance. That is what my amendment would do. Finally. my amendment would exempt international disaster assistance. which in my judgment falls into the same category as refugee assistance. Mr. Chairman.
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