An act to authorize additional appropriations for migration and refugee assistance for the fiscal years 1980 and 1981 and to authorize humanitarian assistance for the victims of the famine in Cambodia.
Public Law 96-110 · H.R. 4955 · 96th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Nov 13, 1979 · International Affairs
Sponsor: Rep. Dante Fascell (D-FL-15)
Cosponsors (16): Rep. Clement Zablocki, Rep. John Buchanan,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
(House agreed to Senate amendments with amendments)
Amends the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1980 and 1981 to authorize the appropriation of additional funds to the State Department for Migration and Refugee Assistance for fiscal years 1980 and 1981.
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish disaster relief to alleviate the famine in Cambodia through international agencies and private voluntary organizations to the extent feasible. Stipulates that such assistance shall be for humanitarian purposes and limited to the civilian population. Requires the President to ensure that such assistance reaches the famine victims and to report to Congress concerning the distribution. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Permits obligations already incurred to be charged against such authorized appropriations. Permits the President to transfer up to $30,000,000 of the funds available for other foreign assistance programs (without regard to specified limitations) to provide such assistance to Cambodia.
Stipulates that priority be given to furnishing agricultural commodities in allocating assistance under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954.
Amends the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act to continue the 75 percent Federal contribution to State and local agencies for assistance to Indochina refugees.
Directs the President to report to Congress on the estimated total costs to the Federal, State, and local governments for refugee assistance.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 13 actions.
- Nov 13, 1979Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 96-110.
- PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Nov 9, 1979Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to House amendment.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendment with an amendment.
- Nov 2, 1979FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended, in lieu of S. 1668.
- FloorFloor · Measure called up by unanimous consent in Senate.
- Oct 25, 1979FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended, roll call #606 (301-69).House roll call 606
- Jul 27, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Foreign Affairs Committee
- Jul 25, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Foreign Affairs Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.