[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1740-E1741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HUMAN SERVICES REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TOM BLILEY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 14, 1998

  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2206, the 
``Community Opportunities, Accountability, and Training and Educational 
Services Act of 1998.'' Title III of the legislation reauthorizes the 
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through fiscal year 
2001, and authorizes $1.1 billion in funding for fiscal year 2000. The 
legislation also extends the authorization for the President to release 
contingency funds to meet the additional home energy assistance needs 
of one or more States arising from a natural disaster or other 
emergency. The LIHEAP program is a State block grant program that 
provides assistance to 4.3 million low income households to help 
families pay their heating and cooling bills. It is a sound program and 
should be reauthorized.
  On the whole, the legislation does not make significant changes to 
the LIHEAP program. However, the bill does make one improvement to the 
program, by clarifying the circumstances under which the President can 
release contingency funds to meet the additional needs arising from a 
natural disaster or emergency. There have been problems releasing 
emergency LIHEAP funds in the past. For example, after ice storms in 
New England earlier this year the President was constrained by the 
provisions of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act regarding the 
release of contingency funds, since the Act does not define ``natural 
disaster'' or ``emergency.'' The bill defines these terms in order to 
expedite the future release of contingency funds.
  The Committee on Commerce has jurisdiction over the Low Income Home 
Energy Assistance Act of 1981. As indicated in the exchange of 
correspondence in the report filed by the Committee on Education and 
the Workforce, the Committee on Commerce waived referral of the 
legislation reported by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 
H.R. 4271, the Community Services Block Grant Amendments of 1998, in 
order to expedite floor consideration. However, that does not 
constitute a waiver of jurisdication. The exchange of letters also 
commemorates that the Committee on Education and the Workforce will 
support a request by the Committee on Commerce for conferees in the 
event there is a conference.
  I urge my colleagues to support S. 2206.

[[Page E1741]]



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