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Washington Update We Won! As you recall from previous issues of FYI, the House and the Senate had each passed scandalously low appropriations for the refugee program-$645 million and $615 million, respectively-in the foreign operations funding bill and had to go to conference to resolve this and other differences. But even as FYI was sent to press we began receiving hints that the conferees were prepared to go not just to the higher of the two figures, but beyond. And not just to the Clinton administration's proposal of $658 million but "close" to the request for $700 million made by LIRS through the Refugee Council USA. For days we agonized over what "close" might mean. The administration proposal included a $14 million cut in overseas assistance to African refugees and a reduction in U.S. refugee admissions by 9,000. Well, now that the conference is over, the ink has dried and the Campaign for Refugees has won the full $700 million requested! This is a stunning victory and a ringing vindication of LIRS's strategy of aiming high, fighting hard and holding firm. It remains to be seen how the extra money will be divided between overseas assistance, and admissions, but there is certainly room for the cuts to be restored. It is important to note that this victory was not won in the context of the anticipated appropriations "train wreck"-the omnibus funding bill that must be negotiated with the president when Congress fails to pass its appropriations bills before the session ends. If that had been the case, we would have sought to persuade the administration to press Congress for a higher figure lest they be blamed for a government shutdown. No, this was passed through the normal, albeit late, legislative process in the Republican-controlled Congress with virtually no input from the White House. (The administration never even agreed to amend its own request upwards.) It was won by the broad network of refugee advocates around the country fighting for it. It just goes to show that democracy can work.but only if you work at it! Those Who Heard Our Voices and Deserve Our Gratitude
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