Maurice Hinchey: “I think that the amendment of the gentleman from Vermont [Mr. Sanders] will provide us with the opportunity to do…”

“I think that the amendment of the gentleman from Vermont [Mr. Sanders] will provide us with the opportunity to do precisely that, spend that money a little bit more wisely. This money would take money out of that Naval Petroleum Reserve and put it into weatherization. For every dollar we spend on this weatherization program, we realize about $1.62 in savings. This saves energy by weatherizing homes. Of course, on the humanitarian level, which I think is even more critically important, it saves lives. It allows people who are living in cold climates and in uncomfortable conditions to live more comfortably by weatherizing their homes, and also increases their personal security thereby. So in spite of the fact that someone who is in charge of this particular money now might object to having it go someplace else, I think it is in the best interests of the people of the country to take a little money out of NPR, put it into weatherization and thereby provide a lot more comfort and save some energy for this country.”