01.24.03

Cantwell: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) help is headed to Washington state

5,500 families will receive help with their energy bills

SEATTLE, WA - On Friday, little more than 48 hours after the Senate voted on an amendment co-authored by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to release $300 million in additional LIHEAP money, the Bush Administration finally announced that it would release $200 million of the contingency fund, bringing some desperately needed relief to Washington state. This includes approximately $3.2 million for Washington state, enough to provide assistance to an additional 5,500 families.

"Today 5,500 families in Washington state are one step closer to keeping the heat on this winter," Cantwell said. "The Bush administration still needs to do more to help those left on the waiting list, and that's why I am urging Congress to act on their behalf."

Many of Washington state's working families find themselves in dire economic straights. Without LIHEAP money, families on the waiting list. Cantwell will work with her colleagues to have the remaining $100 million in the contingency fund released as part of the omnibus appropriations bill.

Through calls, letters, and meetings with Administrations officials, Cantwell has pushed for the release of LIHEAP funds to Washington state since it became clear that the Bush Administration would not provide discretionary LIHEAP funds in October 2001. Last week the U.S. Senate directed $300 million be released from the Administration's LIHEAP contingency fund for low-income Americans in need of energy assistance.