— The House Appropriations Committee’s subcommittee for operations has rejected the Reagan Administration’s proposal to rescind a $12.5 million appropriation this year to help Soviet Jewish refugees settle in Israel. The subcommittee’s action must be approved by the full committee.
Rep. Clarence Long (D. Md.), subcommittee chairman, said the original $25 million grant in the 1981 budget-will remain “as is” to provide “assistance to refugees from the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe who seek religious freedom in Israel.” Long noted that through his subcommittee, Congress has supported the resettlement of refugees since 1973. “We want the Soviet government to know we are standing by those trying to escape Communist oppression,” Long said.
The funds go to the Jewish Agency in Israel for resettlement costs which include temporary maintenance in absorption centers, language training, housing, job training and placement and required medical and social services.
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