Hearing of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe-CSCE Partner States and Neighbors Overwhelmed by Iraqi Refugees: Band-Aid Solution to Implosion in the Middle East?

Statement

Hearing of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe-CSCE Partner States and Neighbors Overwhelmed by Iraqi Refugees: Band-Aid Solution to Implosion in the Middle East?

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REP. HILDA SOLIS (D-CA): Thank you, Chairman Hastings, and thank you to the witnesses that are here today.

It's rather apropos that we're having this hearing just as we had General Petraeus come in and brief members of Congress about the status of Iraq. And we tend to often forget about the plight of the families and I believe it's 4 million displaced Iraqis and, in particular, the children. And my questions would be directed at how we are helping to define their future, because they're going to be the future of that government, and also what kind of treatment, what kind of schooling, what kind of provisions are being made?

I also want to commend those other host countries that have taken in willingly some of the displaced refugees and my questions are for our own government as to why we are somehow cutting back by 7 percent funding in the Migration and Refugee Assistance program and the International Disaster Assistance program by 7 percent.

I don't see any logic there, and I would like to hear from our witnesses when we get a chance. So, with that, I will end my statement. Thank you.

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