01.21.03

Senate Passes increased LIHEAP funds for Washington's low-income families

Cantwell fought for energy assistance to help 11,000 Washington families

Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate today passed an amendment to the omnibus appropriations bill that will free up $300 million for low-income Americans in need of energy assistance if passed by the House and signed by the President. 11,000 families in Washington state would benefit under the legislation, which Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) co-sponsored and help draft. It passed on an 88-4 vote.

"Today the Senate helped 11,000 families in Washington state get one step closer to keeping the heat on this winter," Cantwell said. "If the House and President fail to act on this legislation, they will be literally leaving families on their own out in the cold."

The legislation directs that $300 million in contingency funds included in the fiscal year 2001 Supplemental Appropriations bill for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program be spent in FY2003. The Bush Administration has repeatedly refused to release the discretionary LIHEAP funds.

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. Assistance for the 11,000 needy Washington state families costs about $6.1 million. Cantwell has worked with her Senate colleagues on an amendment to the omnibus spending bill to force the Administration to release the LIHEAP money.