McHugh and Clinton Work Together to Help New Yorkers with Home Heating Costs
Senator Clinton to Introduce Companion Bill in Senate to McHugh Legislation
Washington,
Aug 6, 2008 -
Congressman John M. McHugh (R-Pierrepont Manor) welcomed the announcement by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) that she is introducing companion legislation in the Senate to his bill, H.R. 6321, the Home Energy Affordability Tax Relief (HEATR) Act of 2008. The HEATR Act is designed to provide short-term relief to individuals and families across New York who are going to be facing record high home heating costs this winter.
“I thank Senator Clinton for her commitment to working together to help residents across New York address the significant negative impact the projected rise in home heating costs is going to have this winter. For many Americans, the expected increase in price is simply unaffordable. This particularly impacts areas like the 23rd District where families do not have the option of choosing whether or not to turn on the heat during the long winter months. Congress needs to take action now, and the HEATR Act is a step in the right direction,” said Congressman McHugh. “I look forward to working with Senator Clinton this fall in Congress to help bring relief to New Yorkers.”
Conservative estimates show that many households in the United States will be paying at least $600 more for their home heating costs this winter, an increase which is exacerbated when coupled with the already high cost of gasoline across the country. Congressman McHugh introduced the HEATR Act in June to assist residents with their home heating costs this winter, and recently spearheaded a letter to House leaders urging action on the bill. The legislation would provide up to a $500 tax credit for individuals and families facing more than $1500 in home heating costs during the winter season, with a maximum of one credit per housing unit. For homeowners and renters with home heating expenses below $1500, the bill would provide one-third of the total cost of heating in a tax credit. Individual tax filers making under $50,000 would be eligible for the credit as well as joint filers making under $100,000. Above those income levels, the credit would phase out at $60,000 and $110,000 respectively. Additionally, the credit can only be used for fuel costs, which include propane, natural gas, heating oil, kerosene, wood, and wood pellets, among others.
Congressman McHugh has also urged leaders in Congress in recent weeks to consider an expansive energy package that couples short-term price relief, like the HEATR Act, with a broad, long-term plan to increase domestic energy supply across the board. The Congressman strongly supports increasing American energy supply by lifting legislative restrictions on exploring American energy, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), and shale oil in the Western part of the United States.
H.R. 6321 is currently under consideration in the House before the Ways and Means Committee, and has 23 bipartisan cosponsors, including Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee Charles Rangel (D-NY).
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