As the chairman has said. the budget situation this year is extremely tight. and domestic considerations must take priority over foreign assistance. While we have received numerous pleas from other Members. outside groups. and the administration to Increase the amount in this legislation. the budget situation and domestic concerns demand that we hold the line on foreign assistance. and this legislation does that. I am pleased that we have been able to reach a successful conclusion to a long and difficult dispute at times over the loan guarantees for refugee absorption in Israel. The legislation includes virtually the same positions Senator INOUYE and I introduced last year which was cosponsored by 72 other Members of the Senate and those are the compromises that Senator LEAHY. the chairman of the committee. and I reached earlier this year with the administration. I hope that the Senate can consider this matter in a timely fashion. so that we can conference the bill before having to adjourn sine die.