Speech #970165314

Chairman. I rise in strong support of this amendment. It is essential that we help the 19 States which were constrained by their own laws or administrative procedures or by court orders from implementing changes in refugee and entrant assistance programs on April 1. as mandated in the Federal regulations. These constraints have meant that the States have had to continue to provide assistance for an additional 1 to 3 months. Unless we agree to this amendment and provide these funds. those 19 States will have to bear the full cost. I need hardly remind the House the refugees and entrants are a Federal responsibility. Federal law provides for up to 3 years of federally funded assistance to refugees and entrants. to ease their transition into our society and permit them to develop the skills not only to survive. but to contribute and be productive. Despite this commitment. the administration decided to end benefits after 18 months. but only in those States such as Florida which do not have general assistance programs. the Federal Government will continue to provide funds for assistance to those refugees and entrants eligible for and receiving general assistance in those States which have such programs. Florida already has absorbed over $150 million in documented. but unreimbursed costs of the Mariel boatlift. but Florida. and the other affected States. are trying to comply with the Federal revisions and to provide some support for refugees and entrants now left with no resources at all. One thing they do not need is to present their taxpayers with the bill for benefits they must continue to provide. even though Federal reimbursement is no longer available. In Florida. the State Administrative Procedures Act requires that revisions of programs such as the refugee and entrant benefits be published in the States equivalent of the Federal Register for 41 days before they can be implemented. Even though the revisions were published at the earliest opportunity after the Federal regulations were finalized. the 41day notice period did not expire until after benefit payments for April and May had been made. This will cost Florida taxpayers $10 million unless we pass this amendment.