Speech #1040267198

This important bill only adds to other accomplishments. other results. Congress tripled funding. Federal funding. to $500 million to reimburse States like California for the cost of housing felons in State prisons if they are illegal aliens. The remarkable fact is that we are 1 week from the close of fiscal year 1996 and the Clinton administration has not distributed $1 in fiscal year 1996 money to States like California. The welfare reform bill. signed by the President. disqualified illegal immigrants from all Federal and State welfare programs and empowered State welfare agencies to report illegals to the INS. Congress also created a $3.5 billion Federal fund to reimburse our hospitals for the cost of emergency health care to illegals. only to see that provision die due to a Presidential veto. Finally. Mr. Speaker. I must add that promoting economic growth and stability in Mexico. in particular. whether through implementing the North American Free Trade Agreement or working with our neighbor to avoid a financial collapse that would create untold economic refugees on our Southern border is critical to the success of our fight against illegal immigration. We want to do what we can to give people an opportunity to raise their families at home rather than come to this country for jobs and other benefits. Mr. Speaker. now is the time for final action on this important illegal immigration bill. California must deal every day with that flood of illegal immigrants who are coming across the border seeking government services. job opportunities. and family members. There is simply no question that the President. for all his rhetoric. has failed to make this a top priority. Once again. as with welfare reform. we can give the President a chance to live up to his rhetoric.