Senate Adds $300 Million to LIHEAP

On January 21, the Senate approved an amendment to H.J. Res. 2, the spending bill providing funding for the remaining 11 appropriations bills for FY 2003, increasing funding for LIHEAP to almost $2 billion for this year (FY 2003). The amendment passed by a vote of 88-4 and was offered by Senators Jack Reed, Rhode Island, and Susan Collins, Maine. The bill adds $300 million in previously unreleased emergency LIHEAP funds to the program's regular appropriation for FY 2003. The Senate is expected to complete action on the spending bill this week. Final conference with the House will likely take place next week, with the final bill to be completed by the end of January.

Reed and Collins sponsored the increase to $2 billion to address the growing demand for heating assistance throughout the country brought about by growing joblessness and the rising cost of home heating. "Unemployment, an unusually cold winter and high heating oil prices due to instability in Venezuela and the Middle East are placing tremendous financial pressure on people," said a press release from Reed's office.

Page Last Updated: December 7, 2005