An act to provide general assistance to local educational agencies for the education of Cuban and Haitian refugee children, to provide special impact aid to such agencies for the education of Cuban and Haitian refugee children and Indochinese refugee children, and to provide assistance to State educational agencies for the education of Cuban and Haitian refugee adults.
Public Law 96-422 · H.R. 7859 · 96th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Oct 10, 1980 · Immigration
Sponsor: Rep. Edward Stack (D-FL-12)
Cosponsors (3): Rep. Carl Perkins, Rep. Frank Guarini,
Passage votesYeaNay
- HouseRecorded vote: 303 yea, 94 nay303–94
- 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.
Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 - =Title I: General Provisions= - Defines: (1) "Cuban or Haitian refugee adults or children" to mean individuals who are natives of Cuba or Haiti and who were in the United States on or after November 1, 1979; and (2) "Indochinese refugee children" to mean individuals who have fled from Cambodia, Vietnam, or Laos on or after January 1, 1979, and have been admitted into the United States as refugees, parolees, or as claimants of asylum.
Authorizes lump-sum appropriations for fiscal years 1981-1983 for State educational programs and administrative costs (not to exceed one percent of the total appropriations to the State) under this Act. Provides that such entitlements shall be ratably reduced if sufficient funds are not available. Authorizes up to one percent of the total funds appropriated for all States for Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to withhold funds from State educational agencies that fail to meet the requirements of this Act. Sets forth the procedures to be followed in such a situation.
=Title II: General Assistance for Local Educational Agencies= - Directs the Secretary to make payments to State educational agencies for fiscal years 1981-1983 for assistance in providing basic education for Cuban and Haitian refugee children. States that such payments shall be $450 for each such child enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools. Provides that a State's entitlement shall be reduced by any other Federal assistance received for the same purposes. Sets forth State application requirements. Requires the Secretary to give notice and opportunity for a hearing before final disapproval of an application.
=Title III: Special Impact Assistance for Substantial Increases in Refugee Attendance= - Directs the Secretary to make payments to State educational agencies for fiscal years 1981-1983 for supplementary public education costs for Cuban, Haitian and Indochinese refugee children in public and private elementary and secondary schools in eligible local educational agencies (based on number of such children in their jurisdiction). Authorizes: (1) for fiscal year 1981, $750 for each child; (2) for fiscal year 1982, $750 for each new child, and $500 for each child enrolled in 1981; and (3) for fiscal year 1983, $750 for each new child, $500 for a child enrolled in either 1981 or 1982, and $350 for a child enrolled in both 1981 and 1982. States that: (1) local educational agencies receiving Federal impact aid because of children residing on, or whose parents are employed on Federal property, shall be eligible for assistance under this Act (limited to Cuban and Haitian children); and (2) a State's entitlement shall be reduced by any other Federal assistance if eligibility for such assistance is determined by a concentration threshold of refugee children, and the allocations are based on a statutory formula for the same purposes as funds under this title.
Includes within such supplementary services English language instruction, bilingual education, special materials and supplies, additional basic instructional services, and inservice training. Sets forth State application requirements. Requires a State educational agency to give notice and an opportunity for a hearing before final disapproval of a local educational agency's application for such funds.
=Title IV: Adult Education Programs= - Directs the Secretary to make payments to State agencies for fiscal years 1982-1983 for adult education programs for Cubans and Haitians aged 16 or more who are not enrolled in elementary or secondary school. Authorizes $300 for each eligible person. Provides that a State's entitlement shall be reduced by any other Federal assistance received for the same purposes.
States that funds under this title may be used for: (1) basic adult education; (2) administrative costs; (3) support services, including guidance and employment counseling; and (4) special projects relating to occupational and job skills. Sets forth State application requirements. Requires the Secretary to give notice and opportunity for a hearing before final disapproval of an application.
=Title V: Other Provisions Relating to Cuban and Haitian Entrants= - Provides that the President: (1) shall exercise the same authorities with respect to Cuban and Haitian entrants as he has with respect to refugees under the Immigration and Nationality Act; (2) may authorize the same Federal benefits for such entrants as granted for refugees; (3) may direct any Federal agency to provide assistance (including materials, supplies, equipment, personnel, work, or facilities) for the processing, maintenance, and placement of such entrants; and (4) is authorized to reimburse State and local governments and Federal agencies for expenses incurred in providing such services.
Provides for the accompanying transfer of appropriations with any transfer of responsibilities from the Federal Emergency Management Administration to other Federal agencies. Defines "Cuban and Haitian entrant" for purposes of this title.
Who voted for it
Every House member of the 96th Congress on the ideology compass. Highlighted: the 304 who voted yea on final passage. Faded: everyone else, including those who voted nay, did not vote, or had not yet taken office.
304 yea94 nay34 present or did not vote
Democrats who voted yea(209)
- Rep. Parren MitchellD-MD-7
- Rep. Phillip BurtonD-CA-6
- Rep. Robert GarciaD-NY-21
Rep. John ConyersD-MI-1- Rep. Louis StokesD-OH-21
- Rep. Ronald DellumsD-CA-8
- Rep. Frederick RichmondD-NY-14
- Rep. Edward RoybalD-CA-25
- Rep. Anthony BeilensonD-CA-23
Rep. Charlie RangelD-NY-19- Rep. Benjamin RosenthalD-NY-8
- Rep. Don EdwardsD-CA-10
- Rep. Henry GonzálezD-TX-20
- Rep. Mickey LelandD-TX-18
- Rep. Richard BollingD-MO-5
- Rep. James CormanD-CA-21
- Rep. Edward PattenD-NJ-15
- Rep. James ScheuerD-NY-11
- Rep. Robert EckhardtD-TX-8
- Rep. Paul SimonD-IL-24
- Rep. William GrayD-PA-2
- Rep. Jonathan BinghamD-NY-22
- Rep. Theodore WeissD-NY-20
- Rep. Shirley ChisholmD-NY-12
- Rep. Bill ClayD-MO-1
- Rep. Bennett StewartD-IL-1
- Rep. William LehmanD-FL-13
- Rep. Dante FascellD-FL-15
- Rep. Sidney YatesD-IL-9
- Rep. Stephen SolarzD-NY-13
Rep. Pete StarkD-CA-9- Rep. George BrownD-CA-36
- Rep. George DanielsonD-CA-30
Rep. Richard NolanD-MN-6- Rep. John SeiberlingD-OH-14
- Rep. Charles PriceD-IL-23
- Rep. Lucien NedziD-MI-14
- Rep. Gus HawkinsD-CA-29
- Rep. Daniel RostenkowskiD-IL-8
- Rep. John BrademasD-IN-3
- Rep. Frank ThompsonD-NJ-4
- Rep. Claude PepperD-FL-14
- Rep. Martin SaboD-MN-5
Rep. James OberstarD-MN-8- Rep. Richard OttingerD-NY-24
- Rep. William MoorheadD-PA-14
- Rep. Robert KastenmeierD-WI-2
- Rep. Lionel Van DeerlinD-CA-42
Rep. Dave ObeyD-WI-7- Rep. Peter RodinoD-NJ-10
- Rep. John FaryD-IL-5
- Rep. Cardiss CollinsD-IL-7
- Rep. Morgan MurphyD-IL-2
- Rep. Norman MinetaD-CA-13
- Rep. Robert DrinanD-MA-4
- Rep. Victor FazioD-CA-4
Rep. Daniel AkakaD-HI-2- Rep. Bruce VentoD-MN-4
Rep. Henry WaxmanD-CA-24- Rep. Robert MatsuiD-CA-3
- Rep. Harold FordD-TN-8
- Rep. James WrightD-TX-12
- Rep. Bill AlexanderD-AR-1
- Rep. James BlanchardD-MI-18
- Rep. Alvin BaldusD-WI-3
- Rep. Harold JohnsonD-CA-1
- Rep. John MoakleyD-MA-9
- Rep. Gerry StuddsD-MA-12
- Rep. Frank AnnunzioD-IL-11
- Rep. Charles VanikD-OH-22
Rep. Ed MarkeyD-MA-7- Rep. Clement ZablockiD-WI-4
- Rep. Joseph AddabboD-NY-7
- Rep. Jerry PattersonD-CA-38
- Rep. Toby MoffettD-CT-6
- Rep. Gene MaguireD-NJ-7
- Rep. Jack BrooksD-TX-9
- Rep. Gillis LongD-LA-8
- Rep. Thomas DowneyD-NY-2
- Rep. James HowardD-NJ-3
Rep. Barbara MikulskiD-MD-3- Rep. Lindy BoggsD-LA-2
- Rep. Edward StackD-FL-12
- Rep. John MurphyD-NY-17
- Rep. Allan SwiftD-WA-2
- Rep. Michael LowryD-WA-7
- Rep. Michael BarnesD-MD-8
Rep. George MillerD-CA-7- Rep. Matthew McHughD-NY-27
- Rep. Tony HallD-OH-3
- Rep. Raymond LedererD-PA-3
- Rep. Peter PeyserD-NY-23
- Rep. Leslie AspinD-WI-1
- Rep. Harley StaggersD-WV-2
- Rep. Robert MollohanD-WV-1
- Rep. Don BonkerD-WA-3
- Rep. Geraldine FerraroD-NY-9
- Rep. Anthony CoelhoD-CA-15
- Rep. Howard WolpeD-MI-3
Rep. John MurthaD-PA-12- Rep. Timothy WirthD-CO-2
- Rep. Thomas FoleyD-WA-5
- Rep. Mike McCormackD-WA-4
- Rep. Robert DuncanD-OR-3
- Rep. William RatchfordD-CT-5
- Rep. Mario BiaggiD-NY-10
- Rep. Albert GoreD-TN-4
- Rep. James FlorioD-NJ-1
- Rep. Herbert HarrisD-VA-8
- Rep. Fernand St. GermainD-RI-1
- Rep. Mary OakarD-OH-20
- Rep. Morris UdallD-AZ-2
Rep. Dale KildeeD-MI-7- Rep. John BurtonD-CA-5
- Rep. Raphael MustoD-PA-11
- Rep. John LaFalceD-NY-36
- Rep. Kenneth HollandD-SC-5
- Rep. Henry NowakD-NY-37
- Rep. Donald PeaseD-OH-13
- Rep. James HanleyD-NY-32
Rep. Norm DicksD-WA-6- Rep. Donald BaileyD-PA-21
- Rep. Joseph FisherD-VA-10
- Rep. Gladys SpellmanD-MD-5
- Rep. Jerome TraxlerD-MI-8
- Rep. Robert EdgarD-PA-7
- Rep. Edward BolandD-MA-2
- Rep. Lunsford PreyerD-NC-6
- Rep. Charles RoseD-NC-7
- Rep. Robert YoungD-MO-2
- Rep. Butler DerrickD-SC-3
- Rep. Dick GephardtD-MO-3
- Rep. Stanley LundineD-NY-39
- Rep. Cecil HeftelD-HI-1
- Rep. Leo ZeferettiD-NY-15
- Rep. Frank GuariniD-NJ-14
- Rep. Robert RoeD-NJ-8
- Rep. Raymond KogovsekD-CO-3
- Rep. Lester WolffD-NY-6
- Rep. Joseph MinishD-NJ-11
- Rep. Nicholas MavroulesD-MA-6
- Rep. Sam GibbonsD-FL-7
- Rep. Peter KostmayerD-PA-8
- Rep. Michael SynarD-OK-2
- Rep. Neal SmithD-IA-4
- Rep. Beryl AnthonyD-AR-4
- Rep. John CavanaughD-NE-2
- Rep. Bo GinnD-GA-1
- Rep. Berkley BedellD-IA-6
- Rep. Adam BenjaminD-IN-1
- Rep. Carl PerkinsD-KY-7
- Rep. Donald AlbostaD-MI-10
- Rep. Douglas WalgrenD-PA-18
- Rep. Clarence LongD-MD-2
- Rep. Ike AndrewsD-NC-4
- Rep. Don FuquaD-FL-2
- Rep. Charles WhitleyD-NC-3
- Rep. Bill HefnerD-NC-8
- Rep. Wyche FowlerD-GA-5
- Rep. John HutchinsonD-WV-3
- Rep. William BonerD-TN-5
- Rep. James LloydD-CA-35
- Rep. John WilliamsD-MT-1
Rep. Tom HarkinD-IA-5- Rep. Brian DonnellyD-MA-11
- Rep. Charles WilsonD-TX-2
- Rep. Leon PanettaD-CA-16
- Rep. Earl HuttoD-FL-1
- Rep. William NatcherD-KY-2
- Rep. Glenn AndersonD-CA-32
- Rep. James JonesD-OK-1
- Rep. Allen ErtelD-PA-17
- Rep. Jake PickleD-TX-10
- Rep. Romano MazzoliD-KY-3
- Rep. James MattoxD-TX-5
- Rep. Tom DaschleD-SD-1
- Rep. Samuel StrattonD-NY-28
- Rep. Vonno GudgerD-NC-11
- Rep. James WeaverD-OR-4
- Rep. Koln McKayD-UT-1
- Rep. Edward BeardD-RI-2
- Rep. Ronnie FlippoD-AL-5
- Rep. Norman D’AmoursD-NH-1
- Rep. Daniel MicaD-FL-11
- Rep. Thomas LukenD-OH-2
Rep. Bill NelsonD-FL-9- Rep. Joseph EarlyD-MA-3
- Rep. Austin MurphyD-PA-22
- Rep. Jack HightowerD-TX-13
- Rep. Harold VolkmerD-MO-9
- Rep. Lee HamiltonD-IN-9
- Rep. David BowenD-MS-2
- Rep. Philip SharpD-IN-10
- Rep. Stephen NealD-NC-5
- Rep. Charles BennettD-FL-3
- Rep. Joseph WyattD-TX-14
- Rep. William HughesD-NJ-2
- Rep. Billy EvansD-GA-8
- Rep. Ed JenkinsD-GA-9
- Rep. Wes WatkinsD-OK-3
- Rep. Daniel GlickmanD-KS-4
- Rep. Patricia SchroederD-CO-1
- Rep. Andy IrelandD-FL-8
- Rep. Druie BarnardD-GA-10
- Rep. Kent HanceD-TX-19
- Rep. Thomas HuckabyD-LA-5
- Rep. Glenn EnglishD-OK-6
- Rep. William ChappellD-FL-4
- Rep. Sam HallD-TX-1
Republicans who voted yea(95)
- Rep. Stewart McKinneyR-CT-4
- Rep. Bill GreenR-NY-18
- Rep. Harold HollenbeckR-NJ-9
- Rep. Silvio ConteR-MA-1
- Rep. Marc MarksR-PA-24
- Rep. Charles DoughertyR-PA-4
- Rep. Carl PursellR-MI-2
- Rep. Frank HortonR-NY-34
- Rep. Benjamin GilmanR-NY-26
- Rep. Matthew RinaldoR-NJ-12
- Rep. John BuchananR-AL-6
- Rep. Lyle WilliamsR-OH-19
- Rep. Joseph McDadeR-PA-10
- Rep. Hamilton FishR-NY-25
- Rep. Jim JeffordsR-VT
- Rep. Jim JohnsonR-CO-4
- Rep. John StantonR-OH-11
- Rep. Paul FindleyR-IL-20
- Rep. Donald MitchellR-NY-31
- Rep. John DuncanR-TN-2
- Rep. Robert DavisR-MI-11
- Rep. Donald ClausenR-CA-2
- Rep. Norman LentR-NY-4
- Rep. Millicent FenwickR-NJ-5
Rep. Olympia SnoweR-ME-2- Rep. James QuillenR-TN-1
- Rep. Henry HydeR-IL-6
- Rep. William ClingerR-PA-23
- Rep. Jim LeachR-IA-1
- Rep. Thomas EvansR-DE
- Rep. Elwood HillisR-IN-5
- Rep. Robert McEwenR-NY-30
- Rep. William RoyerR-CA-11
- Rep. Mark AndrewsR-ND
- Rep. David EmeryR-ME-1
- Rep. John RhodesR-AZ-1
- Rep. Robert CoughlinR-PA-13
- Rep. Chalmers WylieR-OH-15
- Rep. George O’BrienR-IL-17
- Rep. Guy Vander JagtR-MI-9
Rep. Ralph RegulaR-OH-16- Rep. David MarriottR-UT-2
- Rep. William MooreR-LA-6
- Rep. Arlen ErdahlR-MN-1
- Rep. Manuel LujánR-NM-1
- Rep. Bob WilsonR-CA-41
- Rep. John HammerschmidtR-AR-3
- Rep. Robert LivingstonR-LA-1
- Rep. Thomas TaukeR-IA-2
- Rep. Willis GradisonR-OH-1
- Rep. Earl ColemanR-MO-6
- Rep. Keith SebeliusR-KS-1
- Rep. John PorterR-IL-10
- Rep. Huey DeckardR-IN-8
- Rep. Tennyson GuyerR-OH-4
- Rep. Charles PashayanR-CA-17
- Rep. Jack KempR-NY-38
- Rep. Thomas CorcoranR-IL-15
Rep. W. Bill YoungR-FL-6- Rep. Robert WhittakerR-KS-5
- Rep. William BroomfieldR-MI-19
Rep. Tom PetriR-WI-6- Rep. James CourterR-NJ-13
- Rep. William FrenzelR-MN-3
Rep. Jerry LewisR-CA-37- Rep. Clair BurgenerR-CA-43
Rep. Chuck GrassleyR-IA-3- Rep. Thomas HagedornR-MN-2
- Rep. Newton GingrichR-GA-6
- Rep. Richard SchulzeR-PA-5
- Rep. Barber ConableR-NY-35
- Rep. Robert DornanR-CA-27
- Rep. Skip BafalisR-FL-10
- Rep. William GoodlingR-PA-19
- Rep. Arlan StangelandR-MN-7
- Rep. Toby RothR-WI-8
- Rep. Wayne GrishamR-CA-33
- Rep. William CarneyR-NY-1
- Rep. Barry GoldwaterR-CA-20
- Rep. Bill ThomasR-CA-18
- Rep. Mickey EdwardsR-OK-5
- Rep. David StockmanR-MI-4
- Rep. Robert LagomarsinoR-CA-19
- Rep. Gerald SolomonR-NY-29
- Rep. Carlos MoorheadR-CA-22
- Rep. Bud ShusterR-PA-9
- Rep. Thomas KindnessR-OH-8
- Rep. Robert WalkerR-PA-16
- Rep. Kenneth KramerR-CO-5
- Rep. Robert BadhamR-CA-40
Rep. James SensenbrennerR-WI-9- Rep. Norman ShumwayR-CA-14
Rep. Daniel LungrenR-CA-34- Rep. James JeffriesR-KS-2
- Rep. John RousselotR-CA-26
Data notes
The House’s recorded vote on the final version of the law (roll call 1210 in Voteview), matched to the vote the record cites and checked against its totals. Positions are each member’s DW-NOMINATE score for that Congress, as on the Ideology page; left to right is more liberal to more conservative. Paired and announced yea votes count as yea. Lists follow the compass, most liberal first. A name links to a profile only for members of the current Congress. A law passed by voice vote or unanimous consent has no member list, and neither does a vote Voteview has not yet recorded.
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. 15 actions.
- Oct 10, 1980Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 96-422.
- Oct 8, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Oct 1, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendments under suspension of rules, roll call #609 (303-94).House roll call 609
- OtherOther · Resolving differences -- House actions: House agreed to Senate amendments under suspension of rules, roll call #609 (303-94).House roll call 609
- Sep 25, 1980FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- Sep 23, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
- Aug 20, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
- Aug 18, 1980FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended.
- FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
- Aug 1, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Education and Workforce Committee
- Jul 29, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Education and Workforce 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.