"Even before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the U.S. was facing record-high energy prices. In the wake of the hurricanes, we must assist the low-income families throughout the country who will struggle with even higher home-heating prices as a result of the storms' damage to our energy industry," Senator Collins said. "While I am disappointed that this amendment to provide immediate relief did not pass, I will continue efforts to provide those in need with relief from soaring energy prices this winter."
Senator Collins, co-chair of the Northeast-Midwest coalition, has long been committed to seeing LIHEAP assistance funded at an adequate level. Currently, Senator Collins, together with co-chair Senator Jack Reed of RI, is spearheading a bipartisan effort urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to approve addition LIHEAP funding. This funding would allow the LIHEAP program to maintain the same level of purchasing power as last year.
LIHEAP is a federal block grant program that provides states with annual funding to operate home energy assistance programs for low-income households. In addition to helping to pay energy bills for low-income families and the elderly, LIHEAP helps to fund energy crisis intervention programs, low-cost residential weatherization and other energy-related home repairs. Each year, 4.5 million low-income families rely on LIHEAP to assist with the costs of heating their homes.
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