Alan Simpson: “I have about 30 seconds. Let me just say we have already exempted school lunch and WIC in the managers' amendment which…”

“I have about 30 seconds. Let me just say we have already exempted school lunch and WIC in the managers' amendment which we passed yesterday. This amendment combines several distinct exemptions to the ``deeming'' requirements in the bill. Everyone should understand what ``deeming'' does. Deeming requires sponsors to keep their promises. Since 1882, our law has stated that no one may immigrate to this country if they are ``likely at any time to become a public charge.'' Many individuals--about half of those admitted in 1994--were only permitted to enter after someone else promised to support that newcomer. The sponsor guarantees that the sponsored immigrant will not require any public assistance. Senator Kennedy's amendment provides a number of exceptions to this ``deeming'' rule for: First, emergency Medicaid; second, foster care; third, Headstart; and fourth, Pell grants and other federally funded assistance for higher education. On the general issue of exemptions from deeming, I would stress that deeming only prevents a sponsored individual from accessing welfare if the sponsor has sufficient resources to disqualify the applicant. When a sponsor is not able to provide assistance, then the Government will provide it. I am not certain that there should be any exemptions from deeming.”