They will also assist in rebuilding the areas infrastructure that is so vital to the economy of southern California. the State. and the country. We have faced two major controversies in bringing this emergency supplemental to the floor. Nowhere in the country is the debate on illegal immigration more complicated and volatile than in my State of California. I would have preferred that this issue not be made a part of the debate over these emergency funds. I think that there are far more appropriate vehicles for a rationale discussion and debate of immigration reform. However. it was clear to me that this issue could not be avoided. For that reason. I have worked with my colleagues on the appropriations committee to include language in H.R. 3759 concerning emergency assistance to undocumented persons. Let me make clearthe provisions dealing with undocumented persons maintain this countrys commitment to helping all those in need of short term emergency assistance in the face of the devastating conditions which they now face. The other major controversy surrounding deliberations on this emergency aid. we face today on the floor. Do we offset the funds appropriated in this bill by cutting other areas of the budget?
Keywords matched
undocumented illegal immigration immigration