Mr. President. S. 1342 authorizes U.S. assistance to migrants and refugees through contributions to the International Committee for Migration. the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. the International Committee of the Red Cross and direct assistance to or on behalf of refugees from various countries through voluntary agencies. Although this program is funded through the Foreign Aid Appropriations Act. it is authorized through this bill. This authorization was reported last May and has been awaiting floor action for almost 4 months. I am offering my amendment at this time because one of the assumptions which underlies the refugee and migration figure contained in this measure was valid in May. but is no longer valid today. In May. the Committee noted that the recommended authorization total for fiscal year 1984 and $50 million less than actually authorized for fiscal year 1983. The reason provided in the report is as follows: Half of this decrease has been made possible by the success of the Departments efforts to reduce refugee admissions to the United States. while continuing to respond to humanitarian needs and U.S. foreign policy interests and responsibilities ... The other half is credited to the absence of such largescale refugee crises as were experienced in past years... Mr. President. as all of my colleagues are aware. since May. the strife in Lebanon has accelerated tremendously to a point where many Lebanese people are now being displaced from their homes and villages.
Keywords matched
Refugees refugee migrants refugees