William Pryor: “I rise to speak on the Reed-Collins LIHEAP amendment. I want to speak to all of my colleagues, but mostly I want to…”

“I rise to speak on the Reed-Collins LIHEAP amendment. I want to speak to all of my colleagues, but mostly I want to address my comments to my colleagues from the South and the West. I thank Senator Jack Reed and Senator Susan Collins for their cosponsorship of amendment No. 2194, bringing forward the issue of LIHEAP funding. We all know that LIHEAP funding has decreased in real dollars for over a decade now. Senators Reed and Collins have shown true leadership in offering their amendment. Hopefully, we will vote on it today. They have shown national leadership with what they are trying to accomplish. In the face of rising energy prices, the poorest among us have been hit the hardest. They are paying about $3 at the pump right now. We have had a record hot summer in many parts of the country. Their utility bills have been going up and up. Low-income families need our help. I believe we can do better. We can think of ways to help our low- income constituents and low-income Americans. The Reed-Collins amendment can do that. It adds $3.1 billion to the core LIHEAP program. This is what Southern and Western Senators need to understand. I don't want any of my colleagues to be surprised when the amendment comes to the floor for a vote today. I hope that all their staff who are listening will please advise their bosses accordingly. This money will go to LIHEAP's core program.…”