Mr. DREIER. My colleagues amendment would alter the distribution of funds made available under the targeted assistance program. which offsets the costs associated with absorbing refugee populations. As you know. Florida has been adversely impacted by incoming refugees from Cuba and Haiti. Floridas proximity to Cuba and Haiti has made it the natural destination for those fleeing these two countries. However. there is nothing in Florida that makes it naturally equipped to deal with sudden and large influxes of refugees. Realizing this. Congress wisely established the targeted assistance fundthen called impact aidto deal with the Mariel boatlift. This fund has subsequently subdivided. In subdividing these funds. appropriators have traditionally considered the original impact aid intent of service to Cuban- and Haitianimpacted counties. In fiscal year 1995. appropriators had three separate funds: First. the set aside reminiscent of impact aid totaling S19 million for communities affected by the massive influx of Cubans and Haitians. second. a 10 percent discretionary fund for grants to localities heavily impacted by the influx of refugees such as Loatian Hmong. Cambodians. and Soviet Pentacostals. and third. the generic county Impact pot that divided the remaining funds according to a formula regardless of specific refugee nationality. My colleagues amendment would delete the impact aid setaside. returning the funds to the general pot. If this were to become law. Dade County would face a larger financial crunch than they already do in trying to cope with the large numbers of Cuban and Haitian refugees. I understand my colleagues call to be fair in distributing refugee assistance funds. However. at some point the sheer number of refugees requires special attention and additional funds. This Is the case In Dade County. Furthermore. if the issue is one of fairness.
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