William F. Smith: “Mr. Chairman, let me say to my colleagues that I actually rise in reluctant opposition to this amendment, and my…”

“Mr. Chairman, let me say to my colleagues that I actually rise in reluctant opposition to this amendment, and my opposition is reluctant for two reasons. First of all, I know that the proponents of the amendment are well intentioned. Second, I know that we share the same goals, and that is a generous level of admission for refugees. But still, in my judgment, Congress should set the level of refugee admissions. The bill ensures that Congress, not the White House, sets refugee admission levels that are responsive to humanitarian needs and that serve the national interest. To me this amendment in many ways is the equivalent of Congress saying that we do not trust ourselves with the responsibility of setting those refugee admission levels and that only an administration, regardless of whether it is a Republican or Democratic administration, could handle the responsibility. The bill also gives the President acting in consultation with Congress, though, sufficient flexibility to meet emergency humanitarian situations by admitting additional refugees. The bill sets refugee admissions at a target level of 75,000 in fiscal year 1997 and 50,000 per year thereafter.”