Connecticut Delegation Commends President's Release of LIHEAP Funds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 16, 2008
Contact: For Dodd - Jamie Radice/202-224-2823
For Lieberman - ErikaMasonhall/202-224-4041
For Larson - EmilyBarocas /202-225-7295/202-593-1377
For DeLauro - AdrianaSurfas/202-225-3661
For Courtney - BrianFarber/202-225-2076
For Murphy - KristenBossi/202-225-4476
CONNECTICUT DELEGATION COMMENDS PRESIDENT'SRELEASE OF LIHEAP FUNDS
WASHINGTON, DC- After an exhaustive effort by Connecticut's Congressional delegation to bring energy assistance to low-income Connecticutfamilies, the delegation welcomed President George Bush's decision today torelease $450 million from theLow Income Home and Energy Assistance Program. This move will ease the burden that high home heating oil prices haveplaced on American families. ThePresident will release $450 million in contingency funding, includingapproximately $13,600,000 for Connecticut.
Members of the Connecticutdelegation wrote to the President earlier this month asking him to releasefunds from LIHEAP.
The LIHEAP program provides critical financial assistanceto individuals and families to help pay their energy bills in times of highprices and emergencies. 86,000 families in Connecticutrely on the funds and will receive hundreds of dollars each in aid towardstheir energy bills.
The current state of the economy is placing an undue burdenon the middle and lower-class in this country. The Democratic Congress is looking forward to working with the Presidentto act in a timely, targeted and temporary manner to provide relief. Releasing LIHEAP funds is a positive step forward.
Congressman John B. Larson, CT-01, said, "This is wonderful news and agreat gesture towards the spirit of bipartisanship on behalf of the President. Many of us have been calling for some time for the release of funds fromLIHEAP. The cold arctic blastreminds us all how important it is to help those who are struggling to make endsmeet. I commend the President forputting old debates behind us and working quickly to help Americans. I know this will bring some much needed relief to the people of Connecticut."
"Although, the President should have prioritized fundingfor the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in last year'sbudget instead of gutting it, I am pleased the President heeded our request andis releasing at least some of the emergency contingency funds from LIHEAP,"said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3). "Theseadditional funds provided by Congress will offer families in Connecticutand the Northeast who are facing freezing temperatures some relief from thespike in oil and gas costs. I would also urge the President to take this needinto account and release the remaining funds as he crafts the upcomingbudget."
"For many months low-income families in eastern Connecticuthave felt the bitterness of the winter and a cold shoulder from the WhiteHouse. I am pleased that thePresident has finally heeded our call to provide this critical assistance asfuel prices continue to set new records and put a financial strain on workingfamilies," stated Congressman Joe Courtney, CT-02.
Congressman Chris Murphy, CT-05, said, "In the richest country in theworld, no one should have to make choices between buying groceries and payingfor heat. This emergency funding will come as a relief to thousands of Connecticutfamilies and seniors who are struggling to make ends meet this winterseason."