[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 199 (Thursday, December 14, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S18590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 LIHEAP

  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, in some parts of Michigan over 5 feet of 
snow have already fallen and the wind chill has brought the temperature 
to 50 below zero. Understanding the importance of helping the poor and 
elderly pay their heating bills during these cold months, I rise to 
support the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program [LIHEAP] and urge 
members of the Appropriations Committee to continue to support funding 
for this program.
  Under the current continuing resolution, funding for LIHEAP is 
limited to the proportional annual rate of the duration of the 
Continuing Resolution. That is, if the Continuing Resolution lasts 32 
days, only thirty-two three hundred and sixty sixths of LIHEAP funds 
can be spent. While this formula may work well for most other programs, 
for obvious reasons the vast majority of funding for LIHEAP is spent 
during the winter months. Therefore, the current Continuing Resolution 
formula leaves States with an extreme shortfall in their efforts to 
help the poor and elderly through the coldest months of the year.
  Since LIHEAP is funded through the Labor, HHS, and Education 
appropriations bill which has not yet been debated on the Senate floor, 
the funding for this program necessarily must come through Continuing 
Resolutions. Should this continue to be the case, I urge those 
negotiating the Continuing Resolution to abandon the daily average 
formula they have been using and allow the bulk of LIHEAP funds to be 
spent during the cold, winter months.
  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President I rise in opposition to this bill, which I 
feel represents yet another attack on our Nation's resources and our 
environmental protection laws.
  Our greatest legacy to our children and our grandchildren is the 
world which we leave to them. Simply put, this bill shortchanges future 
generations of Americans.
  I want to commend my colleagues, particularly Senator Gorton and 
Senator Byrd, who have made some progress toward improving this bill.
  First, and foremost, I want to acknowledge that the outcry from the 
taxpayers of this country has been heard: After months of wrangling, 
this bill finally restores the moratorium on the processing of mining 
claims, contained in last year's bill.
  Without this freeze, gigantic, foreign-owned mining companies would 
be permitted to purchase Federal land, loaded with gold, silver, and 
other precious metals, for as little as $2.50, due to an outdated 1872 
law still in effect.
  Only $2.50 for an acre of land and all the gold underneath it is an 
outrageous ripoff for the taxpayers of this country.
  Though the bill's language will still permit the processing of 
hundreds of applications which are now pending, this freeze will 
prevent even more companies from receiving this golden giveaway.
  I also support the funding contained in this bill for the North 
American wetlands conservation fund.
  This valuable public-private partnership, has enabled Federal and 
State wildlife officials, and conservationists in my home State of 
Delaware, to develop dozens of wetlands and wildlife habitat protection 
plans. It is cost-effective, matching funds are required, and it 
deserves our support.
  Despite these few bright spots, much in this bill troubles me.
  This legislation cuts our efforts to move away from fossil fuels, 
toward cleaner, renewable fuels, such as solar energy. Energy 
efficiency standards are also relaxed. The end result: a continuation 
of our growing dependence on foreign oil.
  This conference report also prohibits listing additional species as 
threatened or endangered and prohibits designating and protecting 
critical wildlife habitat.
  Delaware has 9 animal species, and 16 plant species, which are 
candidates for Endangered Species Act listing, and I am concerned that 
this provision will hasten their extinction.
  An unsustainable amount of logging will also be permitted in the 
Tongass National Forest, a great temperate rainforest in southeastern 
Alaska.
  With Christmas fast approaching I can understand a certain amount of 
sentiment for expedited logging. But we are not talking about a few 
Christmas trees here.
  Under this bill, up to 418 million board feet of timber will be sold 
in 1996 and 1997--an allowable logging level which is 44 percent higher 
than the cutting average over the previous 10 years. This plan is 
locked in, and no changes are permitted.
  The conference report also contains a legislative rider which allows 
the construction of a telescope on Mt. Graham, near Tucson, AZ, despite 
the fact that this development will likely harm an endangered species.
  Putting the merits of the proposal aside, an appropriations bill is 
not the right location for reforming the Endangered Species Act.
  Lastly, this bill expands the number of recreational activities 
permitted in the new Mojave preserve in California. If you plan to go 
hiking in the Mojave this summer, be forewarned, the Park Service may 
be forced to open this wilderness to motorized vehicles and aircraft.
  In sum, Mr. President, this bill falls far short of adequately 
protecting our natural resources. Under this legislation, our 
dependency on foreign oil grows, endangered species are threatened, our 
environmental laws are disregarded, and Americans are left poorer.
  President Clinton has announced his intention to veto this 
legislation, and I urge my colleagues to oppose it.

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