Program at Risk of Drastic Cuts
Texas Insider Report: Washington D.C. Rep. Gene Green (TX-29) called for full funding of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which provides financial assistance to Americans who cannot afford to cool their homes in the summer or heat in the winter.LIHEAP is of critical importance to many low-income families in our area and across Texas" said Rep. Green. Our district is largely a working class blue collar area and as we see continued record breaking heat in the summer and cold in the winter this assistance is critical."
LIHEAP currently serves only 1 in 5 eligible people making full funding at the authorized level vitally important to homes across the country. The American Gas Association predicted that 3 million eligible Americans will not receive the help they need unless LIHEAP stays at its current level.
As Congress is working to make more fiscally responsible decisions and cut excess spending where possible cutting any funding from LIHEAP is absolutely out of the question" continued Rep. Green. Both the Republican Party and the Administration have proposed cuts to this crucial program. I remain committed to LIHEAP and ensuring that people dont have to make the choice between feeding their family and heating or cooling their home."
The Presidents proposed budget for 2012 will be released soon and it is expected to cut $3 billion from the authorized level of $5.1 billion reducing funding by more than 50.
