So this amendment. which would put ERMA at $60 million. would only bring ERMA to 60 percent of the authorized level. It is worth noting that we are at $24 million today in the ERMA account. That is the lowest level at this point in the fiscal year over a decade. and because a drawdown is in the works. our refugee program is going to start the new fiscal year with close to zero funds. It has been noted by others that the funds to Colombia are not being slashed. they are being authorized at above what the President has requested. But we need to take a look at what not funding refugee programs does not only for the people who are suffering. but for stability in the world. We know if refugee situations completely get out of control. that we create little pockets of instability around the world that can then form areas where al Qaeda can move in and organize terrorist training camps. So to form an argument that somehow funding our moral obligation to the refugees of the world is also adverse to our security interests is a false analysis. I was struck about 2 years ago when the Darfur crisis really hit the public consciousness. We had an ad hoc meeting. and it was liberals and conservatives. And I thought this is a unique situation where Members of this body who ordinarily do not agree on anything have come together out of a sense of moral obligation to refugees around the world. I would hope that that morality that led us to stand together facing the Darfur situation will join us once again when this vote comes up. to take a stand for morality and to help those who are helpless around the world who are refugees that we. as moral people. owe a debt to.
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refugees refugee