Speech #1010038227

Mr. President. I am pleased to join with my colleague the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Refugee Affairs. Senator SIMPSON. in introducing once again a bill to reauthorize our countrys refugee resettlement assistance programs. The bill we reintroduce today is virgually identical to the one which passed the Judiciary Committee in the last Congress. Unfortunately. Congress adjourned before this matter could be brought to a final vote in the full Senate. and the authorization for these programs would have expired on September 30. 1989. without specific provisions in the fiscal year 1989 appropriation. Mr. President. this bill reauthorizes our countrys programs to assist and resettle refugees under the provisions of the Refugee Act of 1980. These programs encompass an impressive network of Government agencies. private voluntary organizations. and community groups from around and country. It is an extraordinary example of the partnership between the Government and private sector to achieve a humanitarian goalthe resettlement of refugeesand the program deserves the Senates full support. The principle elements of the bill include: a 3year reauthorization of refugee assistance and resettlement programs. a simplification of procedures for Federal funding to states and audits of private resettlement agencies. greater consultation between the administration and Congress. as well as between the Federal Government and State and local governments and voluntary agencies. a strengthening of programs to encourage a greater private sector role in resettlement. and modifications in the targeted assistance program to ensure greater flexibility. All of these initiatives contained In this bill deserve the Senates support. There has been justifiable concern expressed regarding the diminishing Federal funding of domestic refugee resettlement assistance programs. A most recent example is the administrations unwillingness this year to request additional funding for domestic resettlement while increasing overall refugee admissions levels. Although the increase in admissions was necessary to respond to rising emigration from the Soviet Union. the administration should also have sought additional funds for the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement. Otherwise. State governments shoulder the increasing costs of what is a Federal responsibility. Mr. President. our bill will alleviate this problem in the future. It requires. in section 5. that when the administration consults with Congress each year on refugee admissions levels. it must include any changes in budget authority which would be required to fund the level of additional refugee admissions the President may propose. In this way. unlike the past. funding becomes a crucial element of any discusJune 2Z. 1989 sion on the level of refugee admissions. Mr. President. I also wish to note that our bill contains a requirement that the President present his recommendations on refugee admissions by June 1 of each year. We understand that it may not always be possible for the President to make a definitive recommendation by that date. Between June 1 and the start of the fiscal year in October. there may be major changes in refugee conditions. as well as budgets and appropriations. to take into consideration before making a final recommendation. it is our intent. however. that if the President cannot propose a definitive recommendation on admissions by June 1. he may present his best estimate. The administration could then submit its final recommendation to Congress at a later date. In this way. Congress will be afforded a preliminary projection of admissions by June 1 for the purpose of beginning to consult on the refugee program and to conclude our annual consultations on admissions in a timely manner before October 1 of each year. Mr. President. this is a bipartisan proposalas all refugee legislation and policy has been in recent history. Finally. I believe it is a tribute to all those in the churches and voluntary agencies who work so selflessly to assist refugees to rebuild their lives in America. Mr. President.