English Votes to Override President's Veto on Labor Health & Human Services Spending Bill

Press Release

English Votes to Override President's Veto on Labor Health & Human Services Spending Bill

Tonight, U.S. Rep. Phil English (R-Pa.) voted to override the president's veto for the conference report to H.R. 3043, the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2008. In response, English released the following statement:

"Although I do not find the funding for LIHEAP adequate, I believe this appropriation creates the best balance for education, healthcare and safety-net priorities that we can steer through this Congress at this moment.

"In my view, the cuts that would likely accompany a successful veto are not worth the risk. I have many priorities in this bill and it is my judgment that this legislation is the best we are likely to get consistent with those priorities.

"In the meantime, I will continue to fight to increase LIHEAP funding to the level of authorization already endorsed by the House and work to secure a sustainable safety-net for working families."

LIHEAP helps low-income households across the nation by providing money to help pay for heating and air conditioning costs. In July, the House passed a Labor-HHHS spending bill which included more than $2.6 billion in funding for LIHEAP. Last week, English cited concerns over the conference report to H.R. 3043 which cut $250 million in LIHEAP funding from the original House- passed bill. Despite concerns over these cuts, English voted to override the president's veto to help guarantee funding for important education programs, healthcare centers and cancer research, among others.

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