[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 49 (Thursday, March 16, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H3313-H3314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




AUTHORIZING THE SPEAKER AND MINORITY LEADER TO ACCEPT RESIGNATIONS AND 
             MAKE APPOINTMENTS, NOTWITHSTANDING ADJOURNMENT

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
notwithstanding any adjournment of the House until Tuesday, March 21, 
1995, the Speaker and the minority leader be authorized to accept 
resignations and to make appointments authorized by law or by the 
House.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
[[Page H3314]] CUTS IN ENERGY ASSISTANCE DEVASTATING TO RHODE ISLAND'S 
                         SENIORS, WORKING POOR

  (Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks, 
and include extraneous matter.)
  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, we hear all the time from 
Republicans about how they want less Government. Now we know what are 
talking about. They are talking about less Government assistance to our 
senior citizens during the winter. That is right. The Republicans have 
cut heating assistance for low-income families in my State of Rhode 
Island.
  When the average heating bill in Providence, Rhode Island, is $1,200 
a winter, a grant of $414 can make a world of difference. Sixty percent 
of the households in my State who receive energy assistance are either 
elderly or on fixed incomes, or working poor. Most have household 
incomes between $6,000 and $8,000.
  Mr. Speaker, talking about tax cuts, a capital gains tax cut is not 
going to be any comfort to my senior citizens in my State next winter.
  Mr. Speaker, we have heard time and time again that the opposition is 
determined to provide less Government and lower taxes, but for who?
  Well, now we have the answer. The cuts before us clearly show that 
the intention is to provide less help to those who most need it, and 
lower taxes for those who have the most.
  For those who fear the onset of winter, and the long and cold nights 
that it brings, these cuts will force a choice between heating and 
eating. My State of Rhode Island was supposed to receive $8.8 million 
in energy assistance next winter. No more.
  This bill turns its back on the 26,000 households, more than 59,000 
individuals in Rhode Island, who rely on the little bit of help they 
get for energy assistance.
  When the average heating bill in Providence is $1,200 a winter, a 
grant of $414 can make a world of difference.
  To quote a couple from my State, writing about the assistance they 
received: ``Thank you so very much from our hearts to yours. By your 
compassion we're touched. May God bless you * * *. Not one day did we 
live cold * * *.''
  Sixty percent of the households in Rhode Island who receive energy 
assistance are either elderly, on fixed-incomes, or working poor. Most 
have household incomes between $6,000 and $8,000. A capital gains tax 
cut will provide little comfort to these people in the dead of winter 
next year.
  This cut is indefensible, and I suspect that is why the majority 
would not even allow an amendment restoring this money to make it to 
the floor.
  They will be able to avoid the pain of a vote today, but our seniors 
will be forced to feel the pain of their cuts tomorrow.
  The cuts to housing again hit at those most in need. Forty percent of 
the housing cuts will strike senior citizens, threatening the very 
viability and quality of their housing by slashing operating subsidies 
and modernization funds--maintenance, necessary improvements, and 
security will be cut back.
  In Pawtucket, RI the cut in modernization funds could mean that a 
planned central security station will have to be eliminated. What 
protection will the seniors living in Burns Manor derive from the big 
business loop holes in the tax package?
  Is this the right way to begin cutting the budget? I do not think so.
  When it comes to cutting the budget, let us start with the programs 
that are the weakest and not the programs for the weakest.


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