Speech #1100071623

Speaker. I want to join in this bipartisan effort to try to move forward legislation which is not only important but precious to many people in this country who are keen to be American citizens. H.R. 2608. the SSI Extension for Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act. is something that wont affect most Americans because most of us dont have to worry about this. But if you are a Russian Jew who was escaping persecution In the former Soviet Union. if youre one of the minority populations in Somalia that escaped the persecution going on there. or if youre a former Yugoslav who was trying to leave the devastation that was occurring in the former Yugoslavian countries that now have become part of the Balkans and the war that we saw in the Balkans. or if youre an Iraqi Kurd who is trying to escape the ill effects of what was going on during the Saddam Hussein era. then perhaps youd understand why this is so important. because these are individuals who. because of the good graces of the American people. have an opportunity to start a life here. even at their late stage in life. and have an opportunity to recognize and appreciate our freedoms. But for too many of these refugees. that might all come to an end if we dont come to their rescue. because they did not expect that. all of a sudden. because of the massive waiting line there is for people who are applying for citizenship. legal immigrants who are applying for citizenship. that all of a sudden their cut off of SSI benefits would imperil their ability to pay their rent. Or they didnt expect that. all of a sudden. because of the fact that the paperwork was more difficult than they thought to fill out. or the fee was more expensive than they could afford to pay to be able to become U.S. citizens. that all of a sudden they run out of time with their SSI benefits. This bipartisan legislation strikes the right chord. It says. we recognize that you came to this country fleeing persecution. fleeing threats of death. and youre elderly or disabled. or perhaps both. and we need to do something to try to show you that we meant what we said when we were taking you in as refugees. I think this Is legislation that really brings us together. not as Democrats or Republicans. not as urban Members or rural Members. but it brings us together as Americans who recognize there are many people around the world who still look at America as the beacon for the rest of the world. And I hope that what we are able to do here. at no taxpayer expense. no taxpayer expense. is to continue to show the rest of the world that we do extend a hand to those who are facing persecution.