House Passes Home Heating Assistance Provisions
U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman has issued the following statement after the House of Representatives today unanimously passed HR 4076, the Home Heating Emergency Assistance Through Transportation Act:
“Propane shortages have driven Hoosiers’ heating bills higher during this bitterly cold winter. Today, both parties came together to pass common-sense legislation to extend emergency provisions through the end of May if necessary. Governor Pence and the Department of Transportation have taken immediate steps to help ensure swift delivery of propane here in Indiana and this legislation will make sure that federal relief will continue as long as necessary. The Senate should pass and President Obama should sign this legislation immediately.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation has allowed truck operators delivering propane to drive for longer hours during the shortage. However, the USDOT’s emergency declarations only last 30 days at a time. HR 4076 provides a guaranteed extension of USDOT short-term emergency declarations until May 31.