Political Quotes

“This tripartisan amendment is cosponsored by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Quinn). It would provide $2 billion in advance funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, for fiscal year 2002. I understand that the point of order is going to be asked for, and I am very disappointed that this important amendment will not get a chance to be voted upon today. From California to Vermont, every American knows that energy costs are skyrocketing. LIHEAP is the primary program that provides assistance to help lower-income families pay their energy bills, and there has been no time when more people are going to need LIHEAP assistance than now. According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, 19 States have reported that they are either out of LIHEAP funds or have very low balances. Mr. Chairman, this is simply unacceptable. In the richest country in the world, not one family should go without heat this winter, not one senior citizen should choose between heating their homes or affording their prescription drugs. Not one child should come home to a refrigerator empty of food because the heating bill is too high. But, Mr. Chairman, this is exactly what will happen if we do not substantially increase funding for LIHEAP.”