Rich Neal: “Let me commend Mr. Rangel again for his continued leadership on a very important national issue. Mr. Speaker, this…”

“Let me commend Mr. Rangel again for his continued leadership on a very important national issue. Mr. Speaker, this morning's New York Times headlines tell part of the story: ``Gas Prices Soar, Posing a Threat to the Family Budget.'' Gas prices have been soaring for the last 2 years. Last evening's newscast led with, ``What's Happened to Gasoline Prices?'' If you live in the Northeast, Mr. Speaker, you know what's happened to low-income and middle-class families during this winter heating season. They are struggling to pay energy costs that have skyrocketed in the middle of a harsh winter. The elderly are particularly vulnerable at a time when they are trying to secure medicine, food and other daily necessities. Circumstances similar to this were evident last week when HHS belatedly released $40 million in emergency contingency funds from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP. We can and should do more so that struggling people don't have to fear the possibility of going to bed in a cold house. In a Nation that has been blessed with so much, we ought to be able to agree on the necessities of food and medicine and shelter, and, yes, to make sure people don't go to bed in a cold house.”