Mr. Speaker. H.R. 2128 reauthorizes funding for fiscal years 1993 and 1994 for refugee assistance pursuant to the Refugee Act of 1980. The bill makes no programmatic changes to the Refugee Act. The legislation authorizes Federal financial assistance to cover the cost of providing services to newly arrived refugees. These programs strive to Integrate new refugees into the American mainstream as quickly as possible by assisting them In achieving economic selfsufficiency. Since the Federal Government controls the presence of refugees in this country. it Is only fair that the Federal Government pick up the tab for providing temporary assistance to refugees when they first arrive. The Judiciary Committee has worked with congressional leaders. the affected States and voluntary agencies to assure necessary fundIng for this programwithout adding to the fiscal burden of State and local governments. To continue providing the current level of Federal assistance and avoid shifting the refugee burden precipitously to the States. the administration needs. and the bill authorizes. a supplemental appropriation of $15 million for fiscal year 1993. In addition. the administrations budget for fiscal year 1994 requests $420 million for the refugee program. I am looking forward to working with my distinguished colleague from Kentucky. Chairman BILL NATCHER of the Appropriations Committee to secure sufficient funding. His steadfast support of this program Is highly valued. I wish to thank Congressman ROMANO MAZZOLI. chairman of the Immigration Subcommittee. for his expeditious consideration of the bill. and Congressman BILL MCCOLLUM. the ranking subcommittee member. for his support. I urge the Members to support the reauthorizatioi of this critical program.
Keywords matched
refugees Refugee refugee Immigration