[House Document 106-274] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 106th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 106-274 REQUEST AND AVAILABILITY OF EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING __________ COMMUNICATION from THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES transmitting THE REQUEST AND AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICESJuly 26, 2000.--Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed The White House, Washington, July 25, 2000. The Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sir: In accordance with provisions of the FY 2000 Emergency Supplemental Act, as included in Public Law 106-246, I hereby request and make available appropriations of $41,750,000 in budget authority for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program of the Department of Health and Human Services. These funds will enable the Department to address the needs of low- income households in eight States in the South and Southwest that are suffering from extremely hot weather conditions, and low-income households in Alaska facing unusually high heating costs in light of the recent fisheries disaster. I designate the $41,750,000 made available today as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended. The details of this action are set forth in the enclosed letter from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. I concur with his comments and observations. Sincerely, William J. Clinton. Enclosure. [Estimate No. 16, 106th Cong., 2d Sess.] Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC, July 25, 2000. The President, The White House. Submitted for your consideration is a request to make available emergency appropriations totaling $41,750,000 for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Your approval of this request would make available previously appropriated funds to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to address the needs of low-income households in eight States in the South and Southwest that are suffering from extremely hot weather conditions, and low-income households in Alaska facing unusually high heating costs in light of the recent fisheries disaster. The FY 2000 Emergency Supplemental Act, as included in Public Law 106-246, provided $600 million for LIHEAP, contingent upon the President submitting a budget request to the Congress and designating the entire amount requested as an emergency requirement. These funds are to replenish the LIHEAP contingent emergency fund, which was exhausted this past winter in response to oil price increases. I recommend that you designate this request for $41.8 million as an emergency funding requirement in accordance with section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended. No further congressional action will be required. I have carefully reviewed this proposal and am satisfied that it is necessary at this time. Therefore, I join the Secretary of Health and Human Services in recommending that you make the requested funds available by signing the enclosed letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sincerely, Jacob J. Lew, Director. Enclosure. Emergency Appropriations: Amounts Previously Appropriated Made Available by the President Department of Health and Human Services: Administration for Children and Families: Low income home energy assistance program.................... $41,750,000 The FY 2000 Emergency Supplemental Act, as included in Public Law 106-246, provided $600,000,000 for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), contingent upon the President submitting a budget request to the Congress and designating the entire amount requested as an emergency requirement. At this time, $41,750,000 in contingent funding is required to support the needs of low-income households in eight States in the South and Southwest that are suffering from extremely hot weather conditions, and low-income households in Alaska facing unusually high heating costs in light of the recent fisheries disaster.