[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                              of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4) to 
     restore the American family, reduce illegitimacy, control 
     welfare spending and reduce welfare dependence:

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to oppose this welfare reform 
bill. It contains provisions which discriminate against legal 
immigrants by denying them access to programs that they have paid for 
with their taxes and their contributions to the Social Security and 
unemployment insurance systems.
  This extreme Republican legislation would bar legal immigrants from 
receiving Medicaid, Food Stamps, disability aid, and other critical 
programs which provide a safety net to citizens and noncitizens alike.
  Mr. Chairman, it seems un-American to deny legal residents access to 
programs that they have already paid for through taxes and payroll 
deductions.
  Indeed, it should be noted that legal immigrants pay far more in 
taxes than they receive in benefits. According to the Urban Institute, 
legal and undocumented immigrants pay approximately $70.3 billion per 
year in taxes, but receive only $42.9 billion in services such as 
education and public assistance.
  Mr. Chairman, like the other bills in the Republican contract, this 
bill targets the weak and defenseless.
  This bill punishes those who came here legally and waited years to 
obtain legal residency, played by the rules, paid their taxes, and 
contributed to the Social Security and unemployment insurance systems.
  I urge my colleagues to vote no on this bill.
  

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