Senate sends home heating bill to Obama’s desk

The Senate passed a bill Thursday that aims to make it easier for regions of the country hit by a hard, cold winter to access propane and other home heating fuels.

The Senate agreed to the Home Heating Emergency Assistance Through Transportation Act, H.R. 4076, through unanimous consent.

{mosads}The House passed the same measure by voice-vote earlier this month, meaning it now heads to President Obama’s desk for his signature before becoming law.

The bill would extend the ability of truckers hauling fuel to drive for longer hours to ensure remote regions have enough fuel until the end of May. Lawmakers called for the extension because of record-cold temperatures across the country.

The Senate also passed two bills dealing with congressional gold medals. 

S.1456 would award the Congressional Gold Medal to Shimon Peres. And S.2147 allows for the display of the congressional gold medal awarded to the Montford Point Marines, United States Marine Corps, by the Smithsonian Institution.

Before adjourning for a weeklong recess, the Senate also passed H.R.2650, a landuse bill dealing with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Minnesota.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said when the Senate returns, it will spend the rest of the month considering legislation addressing Ukraine, unemployment insurance, the “doc fix” and nominations.