Pelosi: LIHEAP Funding to Help Seniors and Working

January 16, 2008

Washington, D. C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi released this statement following news reports indicating that the Bush Administration has released $450 million from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) contingency fund for low-income families and seniors. Congress included $2.6 billion in LIHEAP funding in the Omnibus Appropriations bill enacted into law in December - a $400 million increase over last year.

'The Administration is to be commended for responding to calls from Congress to release emergency energy assistance that will help seniors and working families keep their homes warm this winter. This type of bipartisan cooperation bodes well for American families as we meet the challenges of high energy prices and our slowing economy this year.

'By working together, Congress and the Administration increased fuel economy standards for cars and trucks for the first time in 32 years, which will help save consumers money, fight global warming, and reduce our nation's reliance on Middle East oil. We are hopeful that President Bush will again work with Democrats in Congress this year as we work to expand our investment in clean, renewable domestic energy and more aggressively combat price gouging.'