Speech #1020031239

I would note that the Committee on Foreign Affairs is beginning its consideration of authorization legislation for fiscal years 1992 and 1993 and that this legislation should be ready for floor consideration during the coming weeks. Such foreign policy amendments will be pertinent to that bill. I want to say a few words about section 181 of the bill which allows refugee admissions numbers that remain unused at the end of fiscal year 1991. together with the funding in the Migration and Refugee Assistance Account for those numbers. to remain available for use in fiscal 1992. It is the committees intention to provide a temporary remedy for individuals who would have entered the United States as refugees in fiscal year 1991 but are likely to be prevented from doing so for reasons outside of their control. It is not our intent to establish any kind ol entitlement program for certain groups of refugees or create what some have called inflexible refugee quotas outside of the current admissions process. In addition. this provision has no affect on the State Departments flexibility under existing authorities. The Judiciary Committee has agreed to let us do this. This provision was approved by my subcommittee and the full Foreign Affairs Committee with the sole intent of providing a onetime solution to the particular problems. this year. of arbitrary loss of numbers due to processing problems outside the control of the U.S. Government and the refugees themselves. The committee is extremely concerned at indications that Soviet Jews approved for admission to the United States are unable to avail themselves of the opportunity to enter in this fiscal year because of delays in Soviet emigration processing. The committee also seeks to ensure that there are sufficient refugee admissions numbers available for refugees whose processing for entry to the United States has been delayed by conflict in Africa and dangerous conditions in the Near East. It is my hope that the problems I have outlined above can be resolved administratively within existing law. We are working with the Refugee Bureau to see if we can effect a solution within the context of the annual consultation process. If this is achieved. and the relevant committees ensure the funding for the slots in question remain available for fiscal 1992. this provision would become redundant and would be removed before enactment. The Congressional Budget Office finds that nothing in this provision violates the Budget Enforcement Act or has any direct spending implications.