Speech #1040011863

And I want to express my appreciation to Senator KYL and to Senator SIMPSON and their staffs for their assistance. Having stated the amendment just briefly. what is the nature of the problem? There are in the United States today an estimated 3.5 million illegal aliens. These are people who are in the country because of some failure of our capacity to control our borders. Those 3.5 million illegal aliens pose very serious financial burdens on States. local governments. and tribal governments. In the case of the State of Florida. for instance. it is estimated that illegal aliens within our State prison system cost the taxpayers of the State of Florida each year approximately $55 million to $60 million. That is the 1year cost of incarcerating the illegal aliens who are in our State prison system. A year ago. under leadership of Senator HUTCHISON. of Texas. Congress adopted a bill in which the Federal Government will begin to provide some share of the cost of incarcerating illegal aliens. This legislation would. for instance. come into play if there were an effort made to reduce the level of authorization of that legislation or similar legislation that relates to control of the borders. emergency health. or education of the children of illegal aliens. Madam President. that is the thrust of this amendment. I believe it is totally consistent with the objective of this bill.