English Hails House Passage of Labor HHS Conference Report

English Hails House Passage of Labor HHS Conference Report

Bill Includes Critical Funding for CSBG and LIHEAP

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.) today hailed House passage of H.R. 3010, the Labor, Health and Human Services Conference Report for fiscal year (FY) 2006, which included critical funding for Community Service Block Grants (CSBG) and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). English led the fight this Congress to ensure adequate funding would be appropriated for these programs which assist families in need throughout Pennsylvania's 3rd District.

"The CSBG program provides invaluable assistance to our neediest families and gives individuals the necessary tools to help get them back on their feet," English said. "Today, the House voted to keep our commitment to this program and provide the necessary funding that will allow our low-income communities to continue to create and expand local opportunities."

CSBGs began in the 1960s under the Johnson Administration's War on Poverty initiative. The program is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and provides federal funding to states for distribution to local agencies to help reduce poverty. Currently, CSBG administers the core funding for more than 1,100 grantees, primarily Community Action Agencies (CAAs), nationwide. The CSBG program for 2004-2005 distributed more than $2 million to Pennsylvania's 3rd district.

Earlier this year, English organized a bipartisan letter which garnered 122 signatures to urge the House Committee in Appropriations to include more than $630 million for the CSBG program in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Act for fiscal year 2006.

"We've seen great progress for many of America's low-income families. But we need to do better," English said. "By continuing the services of the CSBG program we are expanding our social service networks and helping these families reach financial independence and self-sufficiency."

The conference report for Labor, Health and Human Services provides $637 million for the CSBG program, which is consistent with the FY 2005 appropriation for the program and $317 million more than the original House version of the bill.

Additionally, the measure included $2.2 billion in federal funding for LIHEAP. LIHEAP helps low-income households across the nation by providing money to help pay for home heating costs. English, a long-time champion of the LIHEAP program, led the fight this fall to guarantee funding for the program, sending letters to both the president and House Appropriations Chairman Jerry Lewis (R- Calif.).

"The aftermaths of the Gulf Coast Hurricanes have greatly impacted America's energy supply, causing not only increases at the pump but also home heating costs to soar," English said. "As we continue to work in Congress to explore all viable options to help lower market prices, it is critical that America's neediest families get help to pay for home heating costs this winter."

The total funding for LIHEAP included in the conference report is $601,000 more than the FY 2005 level and $183 million more than the administration's request. In addition, $1 billion in additional funding was included in the House version of H.R. 4241, the Deficit Reduction Act, which is currently pending in conference.

"We need to ensure our constituents that they will have access to LIHEAP funding, especially in the depth of winter," English said. "The funding included in today's conference report is a great start, but more must be done. I remain committed to ensuring the $1 billion included in budget reconciliation is retained in conference and signed into law. By providing adequate money for LIHEAP, we can help many people avoid the simple choice of heating or eating they might face because of the burden that high energy costs have placed on their already strained budgets."

Labor, Health and Human Services Conference Report for fiscal year 2006 passed the House by a vote of 215-213.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/pa03_english/lhhs.html