Mr. President. I am pleased to join with Senator SIMPsoN in introducing this compromise package of amendments to extend the domestic assistance authorities of the Refugee Act of 1980. There are few human dramas more compelling or more revealing of the troubled times in which we live. than the plight of millions of refugees around the globe. And there are few greater tests of the humanitarian ideals for which we stand. than how we respond to their needs. In 1980. Congress took a major step to strengthen our Nations ability to assist refugees with passage of the Refugee Act. For the first time. we put our refugee programs on a firm footing. ending years of ad hoc. uneven and uncoordinated programs. We established a permanent structure and process for admitting and resettling refugees. And we laid the basis for a far more effective and efficient program. As I indicated last year when we reported out a bill similar to this.
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