Speech #1030037654

We are simply doing something that needs to be done for the very short term. It is a very simple bill. not a complicated one. that allows the supplemental appropriations to be put forward that need to be. Then. later on. it is our hope that we will come back through the committee process. revisit the resettlement bill. and the authorization process for refugees in a more complete and thorough fashion. Mr. Speaker. I rise In support of H.R. 2128. This bill simply reauthorizes the Refugee Resettlement Program for the current fiscal year and fiscal 1994. It makes no changes in the Refugee Resettlement Program as It now operates. The program is not currently authorized. The 3year reauthorization bill that the Judiciary Committee reported last year was not scheduled for floor consideration prior to adjournment of the 102d Congress. Although funding for refugee resettlement was appropriated for fiscal 1993. the $381 million fundIng level was $29 million less than the funding level for fiscal 1992. A supplemental appropriation of $15 million is required in order to allow the current resettlement program to continue through the end of this fiscal year. However. the Appropriations Committee has Indicated that it will not approve the administrations request for these supplemental funds unless the program is reauthorized. The specific program for which the funding is required provides cash and medical assistance to refugees who are resettled In this country. This particular program benefits refugees who do not qualify for AFDC. supplemental security income. or Medicaid. It is Intended to support the refugees until they can become selfsufficient. For some refugees. this adjustment does not take long. For others. who must learn English. adapt to a very different culture. and learn a trade or find a job to support themselves and their families. the adjustment takes longer. The Refugee Act of 1980. which established our current refugee programs. envisioned providing up to 36 months of adjustment assistance. The States were to be reimbursed for their share of AFDC. SSI. and Medicaid costs for refugees who qualified for those programs. Cash and medical assistance. administered through the State governments. was to be provided for refugees who did not qualify for those programs. Over the years. that period of adjustment assistance has been cut to 18 months. then to 12 months. and then to the current period of 8 months. In 1990. the Federal Government stopped reimbursing States for their share of AFDC. SSI. and Medicaid. The result has been a shift In costs and responsibility from the Federal Government to the States for a program that clearly Is a Federal responsibility. If we do not reauthorize the Refugee Resettlement Program. the supplemental appropriation will not be approved. Without the supplemental. cash and medical assistance for refugees will be cut from 8 months to 3 months. effective July 1. Any refugee who entered the United States within the last 7 months would Immediately become Ineligible for assistance. Some States. such as Florida. would have to shut down their refugee programs. leaving refugees who enter the United States in the last 3 months of the fiscal year with no cash and medical assistance. The refugee resettlement program has been the subject of some controversy in the last couple of years because of proposals to reform the program and shift responsibility to administering resettlement assistance for the States to voluntary agencies. This reform was promoted as enabling more efficient and effective use of refugee resettlement dollars. While I agree that the refugee resettlement program should be thoroughly reviewed to determine whether there Is a better way to administer refugee assistance. we should also acknowledge that some States are doing an excellent job. I look forward to working with Mr. MAZZOLI. the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on International Law. Immigration. and Refugees. to review the resettlement program and determine what changes may be advisable. Such an effort cannot be completed until next year. however. which is why I support reauthorizing the program as it currently operates for fiscal 1994 as well as 1993. H.R. 2128 is a limited. noncontroversial bill. and I urge my colleagues to support it.