[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 194 (Thursday, December 7, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S18126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION AND THE LABOR, HHS, AND EDUCATION 
                     APPROPRIATIONS BILL--H.R. 2127

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, as chairman of the Labor, HHS, and 
Education Appropriations Subcommittee, I want to update the Senate on 
the status of the Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations bill, H.R. 
2127, as it relates to the continuing resolution and the implications 
of the Senate's inaction on the bill for programs of the Department of 
Labor, HHS, and Education. In particular, I want to focus on the need 
to free up low-income energy assistance funds, which are so crucial at 
this time of year, when winter descends upon cold water States.
  As Senators know, the Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations bill 
for fiscal year 1996 is still on the Calendar. Efforts to bring it up 
in the Senate have been met with a filibuster due to the ``striker 
replacement'' provision and the abortion issue. I opposed the ``striker 
replacement provision being added to the bill in committee, because of 
the view that controversial legislative riders do not belong on an 
appropriation bill, but should be considered through the authorization 
process. In the case of the Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations 
bill, the legislative riders included by the House have stalled action 
on this important bill in the Senate, and indefinitely postponed 
funding for education, health, job training, and social service 
programs in this fiscal year.
  While the continuing resolution will ensure that some funding will be 
available for these programs, it is only on a short-term basis and at a 
minimal level. But, in some cases, the CR level effectively eliminates 
the viability of the program. The LIHEAP Program is one such example. 
LIHEAP provides funds to States to help low-income households meet 
their fuel bills during the winter months when costs soar due to cold 
weather. A high percentage of the program's beneficiaries are elderly 
and disabled people who need help in paying their fuel bills.

  Mr. President, it is already very cold in many parts of the Nation. 
Our reliance on continuing resolutions since October 1 has put LIHEAP 
funds in jeopardy. Under the terms of the continuing resolution, $231 
million has been made available to the States. This is far short of the 
nearly $600 million already requested by the States to get through the 
first quarter of the fiscal year. In previous years an average of 60 
percent of the annual appropriation for LIHEAP has been allocated to 
the States in the first quarter, and 90 percent by March 30.
  Many States have begun receiving requests for assistance, and under 
normal circumstances would begin distributing funds to participants at 
this time. However, because of the present stalemate in the Senate on 
the Labor, HHS, and Education appropriations bill, States have no idea 
how to plan for this winter's program, and hundreds of thousands of 
low-income families are left wondering how they will be able to meet 
their winter heating bills. Low-income households, as well as Governors 
and local officials across the country are waiting to learn whether, 
and how much, funding will be appropriated for this winter's LIHEAP 
Program.
  For low-income residents of cold-weather States like Pennsylvania, 
winter can mean choosing between eating and heating. We must not let 
our budgetary stalemate in the Nation's Capitol unduly burden the poor 
and elderly with respect to such a basic need as heated homes and 
apartments.
  I have supported the previous continuing resolutions because they 
provide critical short-term funding for Federal activities. But I want 
to make clear, it is time for the Senate to act on the Labor, Health 
and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill. Let's stop the 
filibuster, agree to bring up the bill, debate it, and let the Senate 
work its will.
  In the meantime, it is imperative that the harsh restrictions on 
funding for LIHEAP be lifted. It is unfair to hold hostage essential 
assistance to the poor and elderly in cold weather States as Congress 
continues to deliberate on the budget.
  Mr. President, winter's cold knows no political affiliation. The 
LIHEAP Program has had years of bipartisan support. Now is the time for 
all Senators to work together to ensure that our constituents in need 
are not denied heating assistance this winter.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

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