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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Murphy (CT-5) released the following statement on the news that President Bush has released $120 million dollars in emergency funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), $7 million of which will go to Connecticut. Murphy led an effort to convince the President to release this funding, sending a letter to the President signed by the entire New England delegation last week. Murphy and his colleagues noted that if the President didn’t act, $100 million at his disposal for LIHEAP would expire, leaving New England residents out in the cold this winter.

"This funding is a critical down payment for a very expensive home heating season in Connecticut. It would have made absolutely no sense for $100 million in funding for people who desperately need it this winter to disappear simply because of inaction by the President. I am thrilled that the President listened to the New England delegation and made the right choice to help people in desperate need this winter."

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