Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) today sent a letter to House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-SC), urging him to reject the President’s proposed cuts to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In his FY2009 budget, President Bush cuts funding for LIHEAP by $570 million below current levels, which would result in a loss of more than $2 million in federal support for New Hampshire’s Fuel Assistance Program. According to the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, over 32 thousand New Hampshire families used the fuel assistance program last year.

“While Congress must live within its means, some programs are so crucial to the well-being of millions of people that they must be elevated to a higher priority. LIHEAP is one of these programs,” said Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter in her letter to Chairman Spratt.

“The President's proposal would reduce assistance to New Hampshire families by over $2 million. In a troubled economy, such a reduction, along with volatile oil prices, could put thousands of families in my state at serious risk next winter. I urge you to reject the President's proposal and to include a funding level for LIHEAP that will provide greater assistance to those most in need.”

Last year, Congresswoman Shea-Porter was part of a successful effort to increase funding for LIHEAP. She called on Democratic leaders to support higher funding levels, voted to override the President’s veto of an appropriations bill that increased LIHEAP funding, and she helped to pass a $409 million increase in funding for the current year. In January, she also called for LIHEAP funding to be included in the economic stimulus package.

According to the Energy Information Administration, the average cost to heat a home with heating oil this winter is expected to top $2,000 per family – more than three times the $627 that it cost six years ago.

New Hampshire residents who need assistance with the cost of home heating fuel this winter can visit http://www.nh.gov/oep/programs/fuelassistance/contact.htm for more information.

###
United States House of Representatives
Office of Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter
1508 Longworth House Office Building • Washington, DC 20515

Media Contact: Clark Pettig
(202) 225-5456 phone • (202) 225-5822 fax •
http://shea-porter.house.gov/