Low Income Home Energy Assitance Program or War on Christmas?

[Telly Savalas]

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/business/cst-fin-heat14.html

Two measures are before Congress regarding LIHEAP funding. Monday night, a House and Senate conference committee passed a $2.2 billion appropriation for national LIHEAP funding for fiscal year 2006, which started Oct. 1.

The appropriation has stayed around $2 billion every year since 1981, though energy bills are three times what they were then, according to Daphne Magnuson, spokeswoman for the American Gas Association, which represents natural gas utilities.

A provision passed by the House would add an extra $1 billion to LIHEAP funding, but this needs to be considered by the budget reconciliation conference committee. The members of that committee have not yet been named, and it might not get to the issue before Congress adjourns for Christmas, said Jon Samuels, a spokeswoman for Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.).

Um, what was that?

The members of that committee have not yet been named, and it might not get to the issue before Congress adjourns for Christmas, said Jon Samuels, a spokeswoman for Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.).

Oh. Too bad. Congress is busy on more important matters tonight, folks.


"Even if we get another $1 billion, it will still be way below the amount authorized and not nearly enough to meet this year's needs," said Samuels, who called the issue "critical." The House authorized $5.1 billion for LIHEAP funding.

Happy Holidays!

[European Socialist]

1. Repukes in Northern States gotta be feeling pressure--it's not just the ..

poor that are hurting.

[Ioo]

2. My New Bumper Sticker for the War on Christmas

[acmejack]

3. Here's what else they're doing tonight. Too busy, huh?

H.Res. 579 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected (Rep. Jo Ann Davis - Government Reform)

H.Res. 587 - Congratulating Tony Stewart on winning the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship (Rep. Sodrel - Government Reform)

H.R. 4473 - To reauthorize and amend the Commodity Exchange Act to promote legal certainty, enhance competition, and reduce systemic risk in markets for futures and over-the-counter derivatives, and for other purposes (Rep. Goodlatte - Agriculture)

H.J.Res. 38 - Recognizing Commodore John Barry as the first flag officer of the United States Navy (Rep. King (NY) - Armed Services)

H.Con.Res. 294 - Calling on the international community to condemn the Laogai, the system of forced labor prison camps in the People`s Republic of China, as a tool for suppression maintained by the Chinese Government (Rep. Wolf - International Relations)

H.Res. 529 - Recommending the integration of the Republic of Croatia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Rep. Gallegly - International Relations)

H.Con.Res. 252 - Expressing the sense of Congress that the US Government should actively support the aspirations of the democratic political and social forces in the Republic of Nicaragua toward an immediate and full restoration of functioning democracy in that country (Rep. Burton - International Relations)

H.Con.Res. 312 - Urging the Government of the Russian Federation to withdraw or modify proposed legislation that would have the effect of severely restricting the establishment, operations, and activities of domestic and foreign nongovernmental organizations in the Russian Federation (Rep. Hyde - International Relations)

H.Res. 534 - Recognizing the importance and credibility of an independent Iraqi judiciary in the formation of a new and democratic Iraq (Rep. Burgess - International Relations)

H.Res. 575 - Providing that Hamas and other terrorist organizations should not participate in elections held by the Palestinian Authority, and for other purposes (Rep. Cantor - International Relations)

H.Res. 409 - Condemning the Government of Zimbabwe`s "Operation Murambatsvina" under which homes, businesses, religious structures, and other buildings and facilities were demolished in an effort characterized by the Government of Zimbabwe as an operation to "restore order" to the country (Rep. Lantos - International Relations)

H.Con.Res. 238 - Honoring the victims of the Cambodian genocide that took place from April 1975 to January 1979 (Rep. Millender-McDonald - International Relations)

H.Res. 458 - Remembering and commemorating the lives and work of Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, and Cleveland Lay Mission Team Member Jean Donovan, who were executed by members of the armed forces of El Salvador on December 2, 1980 (Rep. McGovern - International Relations)

S. 335 - A bill to reauthorize the Congressional Award Act (Sen. Lieberman - Education and the Workforce)

H.Res. 391 - To establish a Task Force on Ocean Policy (Reps. Hastings (WA)/Gilchrest).

[Telly Savalas]

5. I don't have any problems with quick votes

that "express the sense of the House" or offer honor or congratulations on non-controversial topics. It takes up a minimum of time and makes for nice symbolic gestures. They've been doing such things for decades if not centuries.

I do get just a tad pissed off when urgent House matters get held up because there's a goddamn debate on the floor regarding a trite resolution tabled for the sole purpose of the extremists earning brownie points with their base.

[lonestarnot]

4. Shows everyone where their fucking priorities are egh?