Olympia Snowe: “yesterday, a majority of Senators, 54 in fact, voted for an increase in funding for the Low Income Home Energy…”

“yesterday, a majority of Senators, 54 in fact, voted for an increase in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, to bring the funding to the authorized level of $5.1 billion we approved in the 2005 Energy bill. But because it was a procedural vote requiring 60 votes, this very important amendment failed. I want to thank my colleagues who voted with me as the days are relentlessly marching toward winter . . . the clock is ticking as the thermometer edges ever downward . . . snow and cold have already come to my State or Maine, raising the stakes for those who may have to choose between heating their homes and the other necessities of life. It would be unconscionable for Congress to adjourn for the year without providing critical, additional assistance for LIHEAP at a time of skyrocketing fuel because of the disruption of a vast amount of our energy infrastructure caused by disastrous hurricanes in the Gulf. I will continue to work with the White House to secure funding in the next supplemental appropriations bill. There should be no mistake--this is an emergency and a crisis we know is coming, and it would be an abrogation of our responsibility to stand by and allow it to occur. It does not take a crystal ball to predict the dire consequences when home heating oil in Maine is $2.52 per gallon, up 59 cents from a year ago . . . and kerosene prices average $2.95 a gallon, 75 cents higher than this time last year.…”