Speech #990050326

Just two States. California and Florida. have received 71.3 percent of this programs total funding. I can certainly understand their reluctance to lose these funds or any Federal money. but the situation which precipitated targeted assistance. that flood of refugees. no longer exists. More money from the Federal Government is not the way to break the welfare dependency syndrome which has developed among some refugees. The committee report states that the availability of generous cash assistance programs in certain States has actually hindered the efforts of the voluntary agencies in helping the refugee find employment. If another refugee crisis should arise. authority already exists under current law to fund such a program. Just as we talk about an economic magnet in regards to illegal aliens and illegal immigration. there is an economic magnet for refugees to go to those States which help them thc most and require the least amount of effort. Are we helping these people who have come to our shores to start a new and better life. or are we hurting them with our generosity? I would like to compliment the Members from Florida and California who have done a good job in protecting their States interests. particularly in protecting the Targeted Assistance program.