Text of letter to Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Arlen Specter and Ranking Member Tom Harkin follows:
Dear Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Harkin:
As you work on the Labor, Health and Human Services Conference Agreement for fiscal year 2006 (HR 3010), we write to urge your support for funding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program at its full $5.1 billion level as authorized in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58). As you are aware, a majority of the Senate is on record three times in support of funding LIHEAP at $5.1 billion level.
High energy prices threaten to overcome low-income American families. With winter just around the corner many cold-weather states are bracing for what could be the most expensive heating season in history. Based on the Energy Information Administration's most recent Short-Term Energy Outlook,
"On average, households heating primarily with natural gas likely will spend $306 (41 percent) more for fuel this winter than last winter. Households heating primarily with heating oil can expect to pay, on average, $325 (27 percent) more this winter than last. Households heating primarily with propane can expect to pay, on average, $230 (21 percent) more this winter than last... Should colder weather prevail, expenditures could be significantly higher."
For many low-income families, disabled individuals and senior citizens living on fixed incomes, these price increases will make home energy unaffordable. The federal government plays a key role in meeting this need. Given today''s high energy prices, level funding for LIHEAP this winter would result in a decrease in purchasing power. While we understand the budgetary constraints governing Conference negotiations, we encourage you to do whatever you can to fund this program at the full $5.1 billion authorized level to allow the states to provide assistance to the highest number of low-income consumers possible before the arrival of severe winter weather. Thank you for your consideration of this request.