[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 8 (Friday, January 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           UNFUNDED MANDATES

  (Mr. UNDERWOOD asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995 
is of great interest to State and local governments, and to my 
constituents on Guam.
  We too have our share of the burdens imposed by the Federal 
Government.
  Recently, we have been confronted with an unfunded mandate that 
illustrates how difficult it is to receive funding even when 
congressional intent to provide that funding is clear.
  In 1986 Congress passed a law authorizing completely unrestricted 
immigration between Guam and three newly independent Pacific Nations 
that were formerly the U.S. Trust Territory.
  Anticipating the impact on Guam of this Federal policy, Congress also 
authorized Guam to be reimbursed for costs resulting from this 
immigration. While Guam incurred over $45 million in costs, over the 
past 7 years Congress appropriated $2.5 million in its first payment to 
Guam last year--a noticeable improvement but still too little too late.
  Uncle Sam, if you are not careful, you may soon be known on Guam as a 
deadbeat uncle.


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