House Continuing Resolution Puts American Energy Consumers First

In a week where Washington’s attention seemed to be turned to Wall Street’s needs, House Appropriators have responded to American consumers' most immediate priorities.

The House Appropriations Committee leadership has circulated its draft of a fiscal year 2009 continuing resolution which doubles funding for the Department of Health and Human Services Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and continues funding for the HHS Community Services Block Grant and the Department of Energy Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program.

The Democratic leadership has once again weighed in for Main Street. This continuing resolution provides a substantial increase in funding for LIHEAP and opens it for more working families and retirees struggling with unaffordable bills. It also continues effective federal investments in the Weatherization Assistance Program.

We remain hopeful that the president changes his promise to veto any resolution that increases these desperately needed resources and to terminate weatherization services.

-- David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director, Washington