All Democratic conferees were barred from even offering motions or amendments. I was prepared to offer an amendment to correct the excesses of this conference report and to reaffirm the human rights of those who look to this great country for refuge. but there is no real opportunity today to urge those changes to this legislation. Just as its provisions will result in the summary exclusion of some with valid asylum claims and its truncated procedures will certainly result in the United States returning refugees to countries where their lives and freedoms are in danger. so. too. the circumstances in which the Senate considers this matter have summarily excluded this Senator from participation in the HouseSenate conference on this bill and precluded any opportunity for amendment or modification of these provisions. Let me share with you the stories of some of those who have recently succeeded in gaining asylum in this country who would most likely have been denied our refuge had the bill and its procedures governed. One of the best recent examples of someone who could have lost his life had the bill been the law of the land is now a constituent of mine in Vermont.
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refugees asylum claims