Two proposals to boost LIHEAP funding before what promises to be a very expensive winter for many families failed yesterday in the Senate. Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) pushed for a proposal which would have increased FY 2006 LIHEAP funding from $2.2 billion to $5.1 billion. The amendment only received 54 votes, and needed 60 for passage because procedural rules in the Senate required the extra spending be coupled with equivalent spending cuts elsewhere. Additionally, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) put forward an amendment proposing to increase funding from $2.2 billion to $3.5 billion. The amendment offset the spending with an across-the-board cut of almost 1 percent to all programs included in the Labor-HHS appropriations bill. The amendment failed 53-46. Washington Post: Bid For More Home Heating Aid Fails in Senate