The biggest problem with the bill is it puts a great big neon sign on the border of the United States of America. and the neon sign says: "Come to America and get welfare. We have a welfare office on every corner." That is the biggest problem with this bill. I remind my colleagues that when a Member of the minority tried to reduce the level of immigration. I helped lead the effort to kill limiting legal immigration. I believe in legal immigration. I do not believe America is full. I dont want to tear down the Statue of Liberty. The story of the immigrant is the story of America. and I dont think that story is finished telling. I believe that we need to let people with a new vision and new energy come to America as long as they dont violate our laws and they come legally. but I want them to come with their sleeves rolled up ready to go to work. rather than with their hands held out going on welfare. I will offer a motion to recommit with instructions at 2:15 p.m. That is a very simple motion. All it says is one little provision in this bill. which I think is a relatively minor cost. because we are scoring the bill over 5 years. but it is clearly the most destructive element in this bill. and that is we have an element in this bill that says that no matter how far in the future you come to America. if you come 75 or 100 years from now. under the provisions of this bill. if you come as a refugee. you can get food stamps for 7 years. That is a new provision of law in place in this conference report. It is a provision where we are moving in exactly the opposite direction of the welfare reform bill. and we now make it permanent law that anyone who comes to America in the future as a refugee can be guaranteed they are going to be able to apply for and get almost immediately 7 years of food stamps. Now. look. my concern is adverse selection. My concern is that we are going to be attracting people to come to America to go on welfare.
Keywords matched
immigrant refugee immigration