In my judgment. the establishment of such criteriain consultation with Congressis particularly essential in light of the recent findings contained in the service delivery assessment report prepared for the Secretary of HEW in January of this year. That report was critical. in several respects. of the resettlement efforts by the voluntary agencies and it stressed the need for greater coordination between these agencies. social service agencies. and other service providers at the local level. The conferees adopted a compromise formula regarding reimbursement of State and local governments for cash and medical assistance to refugees. In effect. the conference reports splits the difference between the Senate and House versions by providing a reimbursement period of 3 years after the refugees arrival in this country. It also provides that the 3year limitation shall not apply during fiscal year 1980 and the first 6 months of fiscal year 1981. The conference report also specifies a 3year authorization period for the domestic assistance authorized in the legislation and provides authority for the continued phasedown of the Cuban refugee program. as agreed to earlier between the Appropriations Committees of the Congress and the administration. Finally. the conference agreement authorizes reimbursement to State and local governments for costs incurred on behalf of aliens who applied for asylum prior to November 1. 1979. and whose claims have not been finally adjudicated. Mr. Speaker. let me say once again. to assure the Members of the House. that despite the comments made by the gentleman from Virginia the conference report basically adopts the House position on the refugee bill. I think with the exception of possibly two or three provisions. the conference report is virtually a duplicate of the bill passed here on the House floor. I think it is important to recognize that.
Keywords matched
refugee refugees