Speech #980266043

Mr. President. this amendment is budget neutral since it merely permits the Office of Refugee Resettlement to coordinate its efforts with certain departments within Health and Human Services. No new funds are sought. The amendment will permit State and Federal agencies to coordinate pilot programs tailored to the requirement of local communities impacted with incoming refugees. The specific intention of this amendment is to encourage refugee selfsupport and employment in California. a State which consistently receives at least 22 percent of all incoming refugees. A disproportionate number of refugees end up on welfare rolls. The language in this amendment will allow alternative approaches to this welfare dependency cycle.