Ensuring Availability, Security, and Investing in the Future
Brian is leading the fight in Congress to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil in order to decrease rising energy costs, increase our national security and protect our environment by encouraging investment in renewable energy sources.
As a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Brian understands how our energy needs shape our foreign policy and our national security agenda. Our desperate need for oil forces us to rely on foreign governments that do not have our best interests in mind. And our need for oil from foreign markets puts our brave Armed Service men and women into harm’s way to protect our vital interests.
But oil needn’t be the lead driver in our national security policy. We have resources at home like water, wind and sun that, with research and investment, can produce cleaner energy sources and cheaper alternatives, can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and can create jobs and spur spending here at home. In fact, in Western New York, with the water heaving over the Niagara Falls, we convert water into electricity every day. Brian is working to increase investment in research and implementation of these alternative energy sources.
Heating Costs and LIHEAP
As Americans struggle to make ends meet in the face of rising heating costs, oil companies are posting record high profits. To help his constituents who are struggling with heating costs, and to reduce sky-high oil and gas prices, Brian has been a strong advocate for increased Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding. He successfully sought out the release of almost $500 million in LIHEAP funding in 2008 to help those struggling to make ends meet due to skyrocketing home heating costs. He has also asked the House Budget Committee and Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee that they provide $5.1 billion for LIHEAP for fiscal year 2009.
