DeLauro Hails Passage of $1B in LIHEAP Funding
DeLauro Hails Passage of $1B in LIHEAP Funding
- Last month, DeLauro introduced an identical measure to help families with high energy costs -
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today hailed the passage of $1 billion in funding for the Low-Income Home Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - funding she called for last month in a measure she proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives. The funding will be made available to needy families during this fiscal year, rather than next, as Congress originally appropriated.
"Passage of this funding proves the Republican majority has learned what we have known all along - that hard-working families struggling to make ends meet desperately need assistance with the rising cost of energy this winter. They need help now - not next year as Congress originally passed," said DeLauro.
The budget reconciliation bill that passed Congress earlier this year included $1 billion for LIHEAP to be made available during the next fiscal year. Legislation offered in the U.S. House by DeLauro and U.S. Senate by Olympia Snowe (R-ME) made the funding available this fiscal year. Energy costs on average have risen 62 percent over the last five years.
Just today, the Hartford Courant ran an article on the Oglesby family of Naugatuck, Connecticut. Under the headline "Desperate For Spring," the article described how the family has already exhausted its fuel assistance and is struggling with an energy bill of as much as $500 per month.
Despite the skyrocketing cost of energy, Congressional Republicans cut LIHEAP last year by $21 million. As a result, twelve states have already exhausted their funds and other states like Connecticut are on track to see a 20% increase in need.
"Families like the Oglesbys are having to make tough choices between heating their homes, or paying for groceries or prescription drugs," said DeLauro. "We must do everything possible to help these families. Passage of this funding is an important step, but we are a long way from fully funding the LIHEAP program."
http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2006/March/LIHEAP_funding_3_16_06.html