Kay Bailey Hutchison: “last week the Senate approved landmark legislation to protect States and communities from unfunded Federal mandates, and…”

“last week the Senate approved landmark legislation to protect States and communities from unfunded Federal mandates, and yesterday, the House followed suit. When the President signs this legislation, we will witness a sea change in the relationship among Federal, State, and local government. Let me remind my colleagues, however, that when we consider the staggering load of unfunded mandates the Federal Government imposes on State and local governments, southern border States such as Texas bear a huge share of the burden. Last year, I asked Congress to allocate $350 million to the affected States for incarcerating illegal alien felons. Congress took a significant step in rectifying this situation when it appropriated $130 million for the purpose. This was the first time in history the Federal Government has ever acknowledged its fiscal obligation to States directly impacted by Federal policies--and failures. But that appropriation was merely an initial installment on what is actually a huge, crippling debt incurred by the Federal Government. This year I am calling on President Clinton to include that $350 million allocation in his budget proposal--to move closer toward Federal acknowledgment of the true magnitude of the costs of illegal immigration to this country.”