Russ Feingold: “As the Nation faces crude oil prices of over $53 per barrel, the Federal Government must commit to helping families…”

“As the Nation faces crude oil prices of over $53 per barrel, the Federal Government must commit to helping families fight high home heating oil costs. This week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel projected that home heating oil costs will increase by 18 percent this winter. Despite the higher energy costs consumers will face this winter, States are reducing benefit levels in order to try to serve an increased number of households. Congress must act now to help low-income families and the elderly pay for high home heating costs. To combat these high prices, I urge my colleagues to support a bill introduced today by the Senator from Vermont, Mr. Jeffords, to extend and increase the authorization of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP. LIHEAP provides a vital safety net for our Nation's low-income households, who spend approximately 17 percent of their annual income on residential energy costs. I strongly support extending the LIHEAP program and efforts to increase the authorization to $3.4 billion each year to ensure that low-income families and the elderly have this crucial support to heat their homes.”