Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004
Sept. 10, 2003
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2004
Mr. REED. Mr. President, I join Senator Collins in urging the adoption of an amendment that would add $300 million to the LIHEAP contingency fund. This fund will be available in cases of severe weather or severe economic circumstances during this heating season and next year's cooling season. We already know that residential natural gas prices are scheduled to rise at least 15 percent. We also understand poor economic times may force more people into requirements to need this program. This is a vital program. This contingency fund would be necessary so that States could meet the needs of heating for seniors, for a whole range of people who need heat and need cooling in the summertime in a hot climate. I urge all my colleagues to support the amendment. The underlying bill does have $2 billion for the basic grant program, but without this contingency funding, we will not have the flexibility to respond to spikes in heating costs or in economic downturns in different parts of the country.
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Mr. REED. I thank the Chair.
Mr. President, this amendment would add $50 million for the CDC immunization program under section 317 of the Public Health Service Act. My amendment is offset by using the same mechanism that the chairman and ranking member utilized on $2.2 billion of the underlying bill.
Immunization of children is one of the great hallmarks of our public health system of the United States. It has had remarkable success. Diseases such as polio that were terrifying America when I was a child have been eradicated. We have to keep up this effort. This $50 million will add to that effort to be sure we do not lose ground and that we continue to immunize all our children. It is fully offset, and I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.
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Mr. REED. Mr. President, this amendment would add funding for our libraries and museums. We all understand in every part of this country the vital role that libraries and museums play in education and culture and in community spirit.
Many times President Bush is criticized by Members of Congress for not living up to his expectations in terms of funding. But here is an example where I am proposing to increase funding to the levels President Bush requested in his fiscal year 2004 budget proposal to the Senate.
For the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program my amendment would add $15.081 million to bring it up to the total of $27.5 million that President Bush requested. For the Library Services and Technology Act I request an additional $24.1 million to bring it up to $171.48 million, the Bush total plus an additional $1.8 million needed to double the minimum state allotment. For the Museum Services Act I ask for $5.18 million to bring it up to the total suggested by the President.
I believe we should support the President on this one and agree to this amendment. It is fully offset.