[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 161 (Tuesday, October 25, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

  (Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong opposition to 
cuts in the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP as it is known in 
New York.
  With snow in Buffalo forecast this week, it seems unconscionable to 
slash this essential aid that helps seniors afford their heating bills. 
However, the House Labor-HHS bill would do just that. It cuts HEAP and 
changes the formula in a way that penalizes New York and other cold-
weather States.
  New York's allocation would be cut by $179 million, or 34 percent, 
from its current levels. As a result, HEAP assistance will be smaller, 
later, and benefit fewer New Yorkers. At a time when western New York 
heating prices are expected to increase, these cuts would force seniors 
and families to choose between heating their homes, putting food on the 
table, or purchasing prescription drugs.
  I urge Congress to reject these cuts which threaten to leave many of 
the 235,000 HEAP recipients in Erie and Chautauqua counties out in the 
cold.

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