President. I rise today as an original cosponsor of the bill Senator HUDDLESTON has just introduced. This bill will assist in correcting the inconsistencies currently being experienced in our refugee policies. As you are aware. the Refugee Act of 1980 tripled the statutory yearly quota of refugees being admitted into the United States to 50.000. In addition. the bill gave the President the authority to admit an unlimited number over and above the 50.000. As a result. 154.000 refugees were admitted to the United States during fiscal year The irony of this situation is that while the statutory limit of refugees was dramatically increased. the funding levels for refugee resettlement programs continues to be decreased. This leaves the funding responsibility with the State and local governments who have refugees resettled within their jurisdictions. yet they have no control or influence over how many refugees are to be admitted. Mr. President. the bill introduced today by Senator HUDDLESTON addresses these inconsistencies by insuring that State and local governments will have the opportunity to comment upon refugee resettlement decisions before they are made. Senator HUDDLESTONS bill guarantees that the State and local governments which represent primary areas of refugee resettlement will be included in the consultation process between the administration and Congress. thereby giving all those directly affected the opportunity to influence refugee policy. Mr. President.
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