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[House Document 108-236]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

108th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 108-
236
 
                  REQUEST FOR FY 2005 BUDGET AMENDMENT

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

A REQUEST FOR A FY 2005 BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY 
   ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

  November 20, 2004.--Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and 
                         ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, November 19, 2004.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: I ask the Congress to consider the 
enclosed FY 2005 budget amendment for the Low Income Home 
Energy Assistance Program in the Department of Health and Human 
Services. I designate $300 million in requested contingency 
funding for this program as an emergency requirement.
    The details of this proposal are set forth in the enclosed 
letter from the Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget.
            Sincerely,
                                                    George W. Bush.
                 Estimate No. 15, 108th Cong., 2d Sess.

                 Executive Office of the President,
                           Office of Management and Budget,
                                 Washington, DC, November 18, 2004.
The President,
The White House.
    Submitted for your consideration is a request for an FY 
2005 budget amendment for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance 
Program in the Department of Health and Human Services. The 
additional funds requested would ensure that resources are 
adequate to meet the energy needs of low-income households 
facing a recent spike in home heating fuel costs.
    I have carefully reviewed this proposal and am satisfied 
that it is necessary at this time. Therefore, I join the 
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in 
recommending that you transmit this amendment to the Congress.
            Sincerely,
                                          Joshua B. Bolten,
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.
                DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

                Administration for Children and Families

                   LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE

FY 2005 Budget Appendix Page: 453
FY 2005 Pending Request: $2,000,500,000
FY 2005 Proposed Amendment: $200,000,000
Revised Request: $2,200,500,000

    (In the appropriations language under the above heading, 
amend as follows:)
          (1) delete ``$1,800,500,000'' and substitute 
        $1,900,500,000;
          (2) delete ``$200,000,000'' and substitute 
        $300,000,000;
          (3) delete ``, and notwithstanding the designation 
        requirement of section 2602(e)''; and
          (4) insert before the period, :Provided further, That 
        Congress designates this amount as an emergency 
        requirement for this specific purpose
    Since last winter, home heating fuel prices have increased 
49 percent. In response to this recent spike in costs, this 
budget amendment would increase the FY 2005 appropriations 
request for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to 
ensure that resources are adequate to meet the energy needs of 
low-income households.
    The amendment provides $100 million in additional block 
grant funds, revises the request to provide $300 million in 
contingency funding, and designates this entire $300 million as 
an emergency requirement.

                                  
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