The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RISING HOME HEATING COSTS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H11226-H11227 on Dec. 8, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RISING HOME HEATING COSTS
(Mr. EMANUEL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, right now it is 25 degrees near Washington, DC. It is 22 degrees in my home in Chicago. It is 3 degrees in Denver and a chilly 19 degrees in Dallas. As the song goes, ``Baby, it's cold outside.''
But for millions of Americans this cold snap is just the beginning of a long cold winter. Why? Because while the mercury drops outside, inside home heating bills are getting a little too hot to handle. In fact, on Tuesday the Energy Department reported that the average homeowner's home heating bill will increase by nearly 26 percent, the largest increase in 5 years. Those who heat their homes with natural gas, nearly half of all Americans, can expect their home heating bills to increase by 38 percent; but taxpayers and seniors cannot expect any help from this Congress.
In fact, the Republican Congress is cutting, cutting home heating assistance to our elderly; and the energy bill we passed this summer will do nothing to lower the cost of energy or gas at the pump, in fact, despite having handed out $14.5 billion to the energy companies in taxpayer subsidies.
Mr. Speaker, these are the wrong priorities. You cannot hand out money to energy companies while cutting assistance to seniors. It is time to return the people's House to the American people. It is time for a change.
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