Paul Tonko: “I offer this amendment to section 1434 of the Republican spending bill. The section includes language that bans funds…”

“I offer this amendment to section 1434 of the Republican spending bill. The section includes language that bans funds allocated to energy efficiency and renewable energy from being used for the weatherization assistance program or the State Energy Program. This rider has nothing to do with reducing funds; it is a policy rider. My amount would simply strike that language from this bill. This amendment does not add a single dollar to the deficit, the continuing resolution, or energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. It preserves the Republicans' cuts, though misguided, to energy efficiency and renewable energy. It merely states that weatherization and state energy programs remain eligible for funds. There are many cuts in this bill that we cannot fix for procedural reasons. And there are many more that Republicans will oppose for political reasons, but this is something we can save. This amendment has strong bipartisan appeal. It is about lowering utility bills for people on the brink. It is about preserving construction, inspection, and renovation jobs. It is about States rights. It has been a harsh and unrelenting winter in many parts of America. We should not be leaving our friends and our neighbors out in the cold. The State Energy Program is a 30-year old program that provides resources to states for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and it works.”