Jim Ramstad: “Yesterday, President Clinton released $45 million in emergency fuel assistance to 11 States to help low-income families…”

“Yesterday, President Clinton released $45 million in emergency fuel assistance to 11 States to help low-income families and senior citizens pay their utility bills, States that have been unusually hit by cold weather. Mr. Speaker, I noted that New York, New Hampshire, and nine other States got these funds, but Minnesota got nothing. A State like Minnesota which has experienced very, very harsh winter temperatures, below zero windchills on a regular basis, where fuel prices are 30 percent higher than last year has got nothing. As Senator Wellstone said yesterday, there is no reason to put families in New York or New Hampshire above families in Minnesota. I certainly agree with the good Senator from Minnesota. We are running out of money. And I have nothing against my friends in New York and New Hampshire, and perhaps their requests are warranted. But believe me, it is unfair, unconscionable, and unreasonable not to grant Minnesota the necessary funds. Ninety thousand Minnesota families in need are going to be at risk if we do not get this emergency fuel assistance. I urge the White House not to play politics with the emergency fuel assistance.”