[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 11, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         PROPOSED CHANGES TO H.R. 4, WELFARE REFORM LEGISLATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Kim] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned that in H.R. 4, the welfare 
reform legislation, as introduced, unjustly treats taxpaying legal 
immigrants the same as illegal aliens. The two are very different.
  Therefore, today I am introducing legislation that will ensure that 
taxpaying legal immigrants are not discriminated against.
  I am encouraged that the behind the scenes work I have already 
undertaken appears to have brought the Speaker's and other Republican 
leaders' attention to this problem. I very much welcome their 
willingness to fix their oversight. My intention in introducing this 
bill is to make readily available--to the appropriate committee and 
subcommittee chairmen--legislative language to fix this flaw. Having 
introduced this bill, I am hopeful it can be amended into H.R. 4 as 
soon as possible.
  Legal immigrants should not be used as an excuse for a broken-down 
welfare system that has failed to bring people out of poverty.
  The majority of those who receive benefits are either American 
citizens or illegal aliens.
  The frustrations of this country's failed attempts to curb the 
illegal immigration crisis should not turn into a backlash on legal 
immigrants.
  These law abiding immigrants patiently wait and study for 5 years to 
become U.S. citizens while illegal aliens have no regard for the law. 
Legal immigrants contribute to the national identity, whereas illegal 
immigrants can all too often become a burden to the Nation's taxpayer.
  I was an immigrant who entered the United States lawfully. I worked 
hard for an education and I couldn't wait for the chance to become an 
American citizen. I still take personal pride knowing that I worked 
hard, paid my fair share of taxes, earned my way, and provided for my 
family.
  I decided to enter public service so I could pay back my country for 
the opportunities that it gave me.
  Where is the incentive for immigrants to pay taxes, and to enter the 
United States legally if they are cut off from the system?
  With this kind of discrimination why not enter illegally? We should 
prevent that--not encourage it.
  This is why I believe that saving money from denying legal, taxpaying 
immigrants the benefits for which they have paid and may need in the 
future, is not the answer.
  Instead, Congress should focus on how to get people already on 
welfare off of it quickly. The Federal Government has spent billions of 
tax dollars on people who originally needed a temporary helping hand, 
but soon became accustomed to getting a free ride.
  Over time, our country has created a permanent society dependent on 
the Federal Government. That must be changed.
  H.R. 4--the Republican welfare reform bill--will be an effective 
first step in that process. With the changes I have proposed today, I 
believe the Republican efforts at welfare reform will be even fairer 
and more successful.


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