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Rand Paul Blocking Funds for Elderly and Disabled Refugees

Wed, 10/05/2011 - 17:43

Disturbing news- GOP and Tea-Party Senator Rand Paul has blocked funds for elderly and disabled refugees. The bill that Senator Paul blocked had even come from a disturbing agreement between Democratic and Republican Senators to offset the costs of the program with fee increases for visa applications, a move that would cause severe hardship for lower income immigrants. (Article Link)

The measure that Rand Paul blocked would have extended about $36 million in routine funding for about 5,600 disabled and elderly veterans. Rand Paul offered this as his rationale:

“This incident alone raises serious questions about the system through which they came to the United States, and I am insisting on a full investigation on our practice of providing welfare to refugees,” Paul said. “Legislation of this importance should not be passed without sufficient debate and a presentation of the information found from this investigation.

This was in response to the arrest of two alleged terrorists in Kentucky who had been admitted as refugees and received public benefits. But as Senator Chuck Schumer said:
“The bill ensures that refugees will not lose critical life-sustaining benefits that are their only safety net protecting them from homelessness, illness and other effects of extreme poverty,” the bill’s chief sponsor, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), said on the Senate floor on Monday.
The United States has always been the world's leader in providing refuge for victims of persecution and human trafficking. Moreover, for many Southeast Asian American and other AAPI refugees, their placement here in America isn't merely some humanitarian measure of goodwill and generousity. These communities were directly impacted by US foreign policy. Many of our Southeast Asian American community members experienced severe hardship, displacement, and casualties aiding our foreign policy efforts in Southeast Asian wars, fighting on our side. Others were displaced and persecuted. as a result of the political conditions that US troops inadvertently helped to create. These communities are all of our greater responsibility.
There's just too much I can say about this latest instance of GOP ridiculousness...Anyways, read more at: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/65142.html#ixzz1ZxQhnClb

 

Photo Courtesy of Politico

About me: Hey, I'm Dayne, and I'm a recent graduate of Pomona College. In college, I was active in AAPI student organizing as well as community work. I'm currenlty based out of Washington, D.C., and I'll be posting two to three times a week with the latest in progressive and AAPI political news and policy analysis, as well as spotlight features on young community leaders. Disclaimer: The opinions I post in my blog are mine alone, and do not reflect the views of my employers. Leave comments and share with friends! Follow me on twitter @ dayne4progress. You can contact me with questions, comments, and story leads at dayne.lee@gmail.com

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Anthony on Fri, 10/21/2011 - 04:37
Title: I wonder how it is that new

I wonder how it is that new spending bills are making their way through to a vote when there is such turmoil in our financial system. All the lawmakers should be spending money where it counts.

These online casino games are fun and profitable since the include casino comps and there is always something that you can play to win money.

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