President Ford’s 955-page budget for fiscal year 1977 shows that no funds have been specifically earmarked for assistance to refugees from the Soviet Union, including Jews going to Israel. However, $25 million is requested by the President for “emergency refugee and migration assistance” in contingencies that may arise any place in the world. This sum, if appropriated by Congress, could be used within the President’s discretion for Soviet emigrants, budget authorities told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Assistance to Soviet refugees for resettlement in Israel and other countries was budgeted at $40 million in fiscal year 1975 and $20 million in fiscal 1976. In addition, $2,146,000 is listed for the transitional quarter between July 1 and Sept. 30 this year–the period between the end of the current fiscal year and the start of the new fiscal year 1977 beginning Oct. 1.
“Outlays” for the current fiscal year in assistance “for resettlement of refugees from the USSR in Israel and other countries,” the budget summary says, is estimated at $37,350, which reflects a carryover in unexpended funds.
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