II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3292 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 21 (legislative day, July 17), 2008 Mr. Kerry (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Whitehouse, Ms. Cantwell, and Mr. Dodd) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To provide emergency energy assistance, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Emergency Energy Assistance Act of 2008 .

2.

Temporary increase of credit percentage for purposes of the earned income tax credit

(a)

In general

Paragraph (1) of section 32(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to percentages) is amended— (1)by striking subparagraph (C), and (2)by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: (B)

Percentages for 2008

In the case of taxable years beginning in 2008: In the case of an eligible individual with:The credit percentage is:The phaseout percentage is: 1 qualifying child37.4915.98 2 or more qualifying children42.4921.06 No qualifying children12.97.65. . (b)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.

3.

Low-income home energy assistance appropriations

(a)

In General

In addition to any amounts appropriated under any other provision of Federal law, there is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for fiscal year 2008— (1)$1,265,000,000 (to remain available until expended) for making payments under subsections (a) through (d) of section 2604 of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8623); and (2)$1,265,000,000 (to remain available until expended) for making payments under section 2604(e) of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8623(e)), notwithstanding the designation requirement of section 2602(e) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 8621(e)). (b)

Emergency requirement

The amount provided under this section is designated as an emergency requirement and necessary to meet emergency needs, pursuant to section 204 of S. Con. Res. 21 (110th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008.

4.

Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons

(a)

In General

In addition to any amounts appropriated under any other provision of Federal law, there is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for fiscal year 2008 $522,800,000 to carry out the Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons established under part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.). (b)

Emergency requirement

The amount provided under this section is designated as an emergency requirement and necessary to meet emergency needs pursuant to section 204 of S. Con. Res. 21 (110th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008.