Washington, DC – Wisconsin residents will be a bit warmer this winter.  Yesterday, President Bush released $450 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which will help needy families across the country pay their heating bills as we move into the coldest months of winter.

“This is a no-brainer.  Heating costs have skyrocketed as oil prices reach record highs.  More and more families have applied for heating assistance in recent years, and there’s obviously a real need in our community to provide this type of help,” Congresswoman Moore said.

Over 130,000 households in Wisconsin benefit from LIHEAP every year, which helps to provide essential heating, cooling, and weatherization assistance for impoverished families.  This winter, many families who use natural gas or electric heat are struggling just to get by and Americans who use heating oil will pay more than $2,000 per family – over three times the costs in 2001. 

“We’re talking about real people in Milwaukee who can’t afford to turn on the heat.  Seniors, needy kids, families that are out of work and looking for jobs.  I am happy that Wisconsin will soon see $18 million for LIHEAP heating assistance, but I know that more must be done to ensure that our neighbors aren’t left out in the cold in the months ahead,” the Congresswoman said.

“This is an important bi-partisan initiative.  While I have been disappointed with many of the President’s spending priorities, I was pleased to work with the Administration to increase sorely needed funding for LIHEAP.” Congresswoman Moore said. 

Congress included $2.6 billion for LIHEAP appropriations in the omnibus that was recently signed into law - a $400 million increase over last year’s funding. 

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For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact Andrew Stevens at 202-225-4572.

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