Speech #970191007

Another subject that is of concern to this administration is the reference. in the bill as reported to the House. to providing in the next fiscal year such sums as may be necessary. While that approach may be appropriate insofar as the 1984 and 1985 fiscal year authorizations are concerned. if we are trying to work out a budget for 1983. we need to be more specific. I do not think what we are doing here is establishing an entitlement program in which there are going to be unlimited funds for the refugee program. We really are authorizing a level of funds of hopefully $514 million approximately from which the municipalities and the States will be reimbursed for the various types of assistance which are provided in this legislation. This bill includes a number of provisions designed to encourage refugees to obtain employment and discourage refugees from relying unnecessarily on cash assistance. The bill conditions the availability of refugee cash assistance on prompt registration with an agency providing employment services. This is accomplished by eliminating the present 60day delayafter entryin the registration requirement. This proposal. advocated by the administration. emphasizes the importance of refugees becoming selfsufficient as soon as possible after their arrival in the United States. Another provision conditions an employable refugees receipt of cash assistance on the refugees participation in available job or language training. Fulltime students in institutions of higher learning. however. no longer will qualify for cash assistance. The United States should not provide support to refugees pursuing higher education when we cannot underwrite such assistance for our own citizens. H.R. 5879 recognizes the importance of thoughtful refugee placement decisions. The Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement is required to develop a resettlement policy that generally will bar resettlement of refugeesexcept certain relativesin highly impacted areas. The bill also requires regular refugee placement meetings between representatives of voluntary agencies and representatives of State and local governmentsa clear mandate for greater consultation and cooperation between the private and public sectors in planning refugee resettlement. An amendment favored by the administration restores the words "up to" in the provision of present law authorizing the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement to reimburse "up to" 100 percent of refugee cost and medical assistance provided during a 36month period. The administration feels it needs the flexibility the "up to" language affords. Tomorrow I may be offering one or more administrationproposed amendments.