Speech #1030097111

I would like to give a brief overview ol what has happened during the last 2 weeks. When the original version of the bill extending unemployment benefits first came to the attention of this Congress. the members of the Hispanic caucus. including myself. were outraged. The bill contained a provision that stated that funding for the extension of benefits would come from raising from 3 to 5 years the eligibility for aged. blind. and disabled legal immigrants to receive their supplemental security income. We felt that this unfair and unjust provision subjects legal U.S. residents to blatant immigrant bashing. We should not. and need not. rob Pedro to pay Paul. In addition. by relieving the Federal Government from paying for SSI benefits. we transfer the burden of picking up the tab to our States. For example. the SSI benefits that would have been paid for by Uncle Sam will now be costing my State of New York $2 million. The provision also contributes to the antiimmigrant sentiment that is now running rampant in our country. and the members of the Hispanic caucus felt it was necessary that this language be removed. Legal immigrants should not be asked to solely bear the burden of financing unemployment benefits for the entire United States. As a result of the efforts of the Hispanic caucus. the bill was brought to the House of Representatives yesterday without this biased financial provision. and it extended unemployment benefits until January 1. 1994. This extension would have given Congress until that time to find a new funding mechanism if additional benefits were needed beyond that point. and spared aged. blind. and disabled legal Immigrants from having to suffer unfairly. The rule was sadly and regrettably defeated. Its defeat illustrates the insensitivity to Latino concerns and the antiimmigrant climate which permeates this Chamber and the country. Hence. once again I stand In front of you today. Mr. Chairman. despite my objections. I realize the necessity for the extension of unemployment benefits. but I deeply regret that this extension will be achieved at the expense of our Nations legal immigrants.