Congress Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2009

Floor Speech

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 -- (Senate - March 13, 2008)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

AMENDMENT NO. 4154

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island is recognized.

Mr. REED. Mr. President, my amendment would increase LIHEAP funding by an additional $2.6 billion to bring it up to the fully authorized amount.

I call up amendment No. 4154.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.

The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

The Senator from Rhode Island [Mr. Reed], for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Bond, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerry, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Obama, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Sununu, and Mr. Whitehouse, proposes an amendment numbered 4154.

The amendment is as follows:
(Purpose: To reduce the energy burden of low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities by increasing funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by $2.6 billion in FY 2009)

On page 19, line 16, increase the amount by $2,600,000,000.

On page 19, line 17, increase the amount by $1,820,000,000.

On page 19, line 21, increase the amount by $728,000,000.

On page 19, line 25, increase the amount by $52,000,000.

On page 27, line 16, decrease the amount by $2,600,000,000.

On page 27, line 17, decrease the amount by $1,820,000,000.

On page 27, line 21, decrease the amount by $728,000,000.

On page 27, line 25, decrease the amount by $52,000,000.

Mr. REED. Mr. President, this amendment would raise the LIHEAP spending to the authorized total of $5.1 billion. I wish to recognize the work of Senator Specter and Senator Harkin, who earlier today passed an amendment that increased LIHEAP funding. I have worked very closely with my colleagues, especially Senator Collins.

Let me point out what is obvious to everyone today: Oil reached $111 a barrel. That translates very quickly into excruciatingly high prices for seniors or low-income Americans. LIHEAP is a program that can help them. I would urge passage.

I see my colleague, Senator Collins, on the other side.

Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I, too, urge adoption of this amendment. This has been a very hard winter in the Northeast, with extreme cold and very high prices. We can make a big difference by increasing this account to bring it to the authorized level. In my State of Maine, the last allocation was used up in a matter of 4 days.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who yields time in opposition to the amendment?

AMENDMENT NO. 4154, AS MODIFIED

Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to modify the amendment in order to reflect the previous amendment passed by Senators Harkin and Specter. It has been agreed to by both sides.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?

Mr. REED. I send a modification to the desk.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment is so modified.

The amendment, as modified, is as follows:

On page 21, line 16, increase the amount by $1,600,000,000.

On page 21, line 17, increase the amount by $1,120,000,000.

On page 21, line 21, increase the amount by $448,000,000.

On page 21, line 25, increase the amount by $32,000,000.

On page 27, line 16, decrease the amount by $1,600,000,000.

On page 27, line 17, decrease the amount by $1,120,000,000.

On page 27, line 21, decrease the amount by $448,000,000.

On page 27, line 25, decrease the amount by $32,000,000.

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