On July 26, the U.S. Senate voted against moving forward with legislation that would have nearly doubled Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding, to $5.1 billion. Senators voted 50-35 to limit debate on the bill, but fell short of the 60 votes needed to move to final passage. The White House threatened to veto the bill on grounds LIHEAP operates mostly in the winter and the heating season is over. It said a contingency fund held $100 million to cover emergencies through the end of FY 08.
“At a time when the cost of home heating fuels and electricity are soaring, and when the economy is in a decline, millions of Americans are finding it harder and harder to stay warm in the winter or cool in the summer,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the legislation’s sponsor. We will continue to fight for this,” he said. “We have an energy emergency. Given the escalating cost of home heating fuels, if we don’t dramatically increase funding for the home energy program, senior citizens on fixed incomes, the disabled and low-income families with children will go cold this winter.”