House Speaker Todd Richardson and Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard Announce Joint Hearing to Examine Funding for Refugee Assistance Programs

JEFFERSON CITY— House Speaker Todd Richardson and Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard today announced a joint hearing that will thoroughly examine the various programs the governor could utilize to provide assistance to refugees. The House Budget Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold the hearing Monday, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. in House Hearing Room 3.

“Our governor has yet to fully articulate a plan or take a stand on this issue that has generated immense concern from the people of Missouri. Our sympathies go out to those who have been impacted by the strife in Syria, but we must place the safety and well-being of Missourians as our top priority. As a result, I have asked chairman Flanigan and Haefner to work with Sen. Schaefer and members of their committees to fully review the various programs that could be used to provide assistance for refugee resettlement within our borders,” said Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff.

“Because of our governor’s lack of leadership and this administration’s failed federal foreign policies, we will try to find ways to protect the safety and well-being of the citizens of the Show-Me State,” said Senate Leader Ron Richard, R-Joplin. “While we are compassionate to the victims of the Syrian Civil War, our first and most important duty as legislators is to keep our people safe from harm’s way.”