Members of Congress push for emergency funding to help meet home heating costs
U.S. Reps. Andrew Garbarino (D-NY) and Jared Golden (D-ME) recently introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would provide $4 billion in emergency funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The Home Heating Emergency Funding Act of 2022 would bolster LIHEAP, which helps 5.3 million struggling families afford their energy bills. Specifically, LIHEAP provides federally funded assistance in managing costs associated with home heating costs, energy crises, weatherization and energy-related minor home repairs.
“Long Islanders and Americans across the country are dealing with astronomical energy prices on top of rising costs for basic necessities across the board,” Garbarino said. “This legislation will provide much-needed relief to some of the most vulnerable families in our community and help ensure they are able to heat their homes this winter.”
Golden said this bill will temporarily double the amount of funding that goes to LIHEAP.
“Even if sky-high heating oil prices come down between now and November, it’s going to be a tough winter for many families in Maine,” Golden said. “While I’ve been pushing for months for the U.S. to expand domestic oil and gas production and open pipelines to increase energy supply and lower prices, these measures are unlikely to impact Mainers filling their oil tanks this winter. That’s why the bipartisan bill I’m introducing today is so important,” Golden said on Aug. 5.
This legislation is part of a bicameral push to boost LIHEAP funding, as U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI) are among those senators advocating for emergency supplemental funding for the critical program.
The senators led an Aug. 4 letter to Senate and House Appropriations Committee leaders noting that currently, an estimated 20 million families are behind on their utility bills, totaling more than $18 billion in arrearages.
“Without increased LIHEAP funding, this trend will only continue, straining household budgets even further,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter that was signed by a total of 58 members of Congress. “Increased energy costs will inevitably force many vulnerable families to make heartbreaking decisions between heating their homes, putting food on their tables, and buying the medications they need to survive.”
