President. I have an amendment to strike the entire House language in chapter II of the supplemental and to replace it with Senate language making a number of changes. These changes are as follows: First. we clarify that the entire $235.5 million for these emergency disaster and refugee needs can be transferred only from the interest on contributions to the Defense Cooperation Account. None of the funds can come from actual contributions to the Defense Cooperation Account. Second. we strike the House language that offsets $85 million of the $235.5 million for refugee and disaster aid by a rescission of 85 million in the Economic Support Fund. That 85 million additional refugee and disaster assistance is also offset from interest out of the Defense Cooperation Account. So. the language I am proposing offsets the entire $235.5 million to provide additional assistance to help the Iraqi refugees and to replenish emergency and disaster assistance accounts drawn down to help the Iraqi refugees by a transfer from the interest accruing from the Defense Cooperation Account. The several emergency refugee and disaster assistance accounts have been virtually exhausted already to fund relief efforts for the Kurds and other Iraqi refugees. I am informed that well in excess of $235.5 million will be drawn from these accounts over the coming weeks. It is essential that these emergency and disaster assistance accounts be replenished. The House would have made the funds to replenish the Migration and Refugee Account available until expended. We see no reason to give noyear money in an emergency supplemental. and we make these funds available only through September 30. 1992. Because of the enormous strain on the administrative apparatus of the Refugee Bureau at the State Department in managing the Iraqi refugee effort. we add language permitting up to $250.000 of the $75.000.000 transferred to that Bureau to be used for administrative expenses. The other modifications are minor technical and language adjustments to conform the chapter with these changes I have just explained. Mr.
Keywords matched
Refugee refugee refugees