Bradley Successful in Bringing Liheap Measure to the House Floor for a Vote
BRADLEY SUCCESSFUL IN BRINGING LIHEAP MEASURE TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR A VOTE
House passes $1 billion in funding for fuel assistance program
(Washington, D.C.) - First District Congressman Jeb Bradley today applauded House passage of a measure that would increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by $1 billion for this fiscal year. Earlier this week, Bradley sent a letter signed by 20 of his colleagues to House Leadership urging them to bring S. 2320 to the floor for a vote. Due to Bradley's letter, the measure was considered yesterday and passed by a vote of 287 to 128 this afternoon. Last night, Bradley spoke on the House floor urging his colleagues to support the bill.
"Record high heating costs have made for a long winter in the Northeast, and countless New Hampshire families continue to need assistance in paying their home heating bills," stated Bradley. "I am pleased that our efforts were successful in bringing this vital piece of legislation to a vote in the House. This measure will bring additional relief to those who need it most."
S. 2320 would make the $1 billion included in the Deficit Reduction Act - which is allocated for Fiscal Year 2007 - available for this fiscal year instead. The bill allocates half of the $1 billion as regular LIHEAP funding and the other half as emergency funding, which is dispersed at the President's discretion. Passage of this bill sends it to President Bush for his signature. Once the bill is signed into law, New Hampshire will receive a total of $18.2 million in regular LIHEAP funding for this year.
Jack Ruderman, Acting Director of the State of New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, stated, "These additional fuel assistance funds couldn't come at a better time. This has been a difficult winter for New Hampshire families, particularly low-income households that depend on the fuel assistance program to get them through the heating season. These new funds will help ensure that no one has to choose between heating their home and paying for food, medicine, rent or other essentials."
"I will continue to advocate to the Administration for the fair and equitable release of emergency LIHEAP funding for New Hampshire," Bradley concluded.
http://www.house.gov/bradley/20060316_main.html