Jack Reed: “first let me start off by commending Chairman Specter for his efforts to meet the needs that are so evident in this…”

“first let me start off by commending Chairman Specter for his efforts to meet the needs that are so evident in this appropriations bill in a very difficult budgetary climate. The amendment I offer this evening, together with my colleague from Maine, Senator Collins, would be to increase funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Program to $2.3 billion for fiscal year 2004. I thank my other colleagues and cosponsors--Senators Kennedy, Leahy, Rockefeller, Voinovich, Jeffords, Kerry, Lieberman, Schumer, Corzine, Sarbanes, Bingaman, Lincoln, Levin, Harkin, Clinton, Durbin, and Snowe--for cosponsoring this amendment. The amendment Senator Collins and I are offering will provide $300 million for the LIHEAP contingency fund. This money is available under certain specified conditions: a significant home energy supply shortage or disruption, a significant increase in the cost of home energy, a significant increase in home energy disconnections, a significant increase in participation in a public benefit program, or a significant increase in unemployment. Contingency money for LIHEAP is very important to ensure that these resources can be quickly dispensed and targeted to those areas of the country and those populations that are experiencing either severe weather or severe economic distress.”