As energy prices continue to skyrocket, residential customers will likely bear a record burden this winter. Increasing costs will particularly impact low-income families as they struggle to balance their heating needs with those of food, shelter, and other basic necessities.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced S. 3186, which provides $2.5 billion in emergency spending for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which gives low-income families an essential lifeline during the cold winter months. In addition to alleviating energy costs, this funding would help low-income families insulate and weatherize their homes, thus saving energy and decreasing their vulnerability to a continued upward trend in energy costs.

On July 26, the Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 50-35 (Senate roll call vote 187), as it failed to reach the 60 vote threshold needed to end debate and move to an up or down vote. YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE.