Congressman Charles Bass

Sends letter to House appropriators

November 3, 2011

WASHINGTON – As Congress continues its work on the remaining appropriations bills, Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) urged his colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to find a fiscally-responsible level of funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that will also meet families' energy needs this winter.

Bass said:

"The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is vital for many New Hampshire families struggling to pay high heating costs during the winter months, and with one major snowstorm already under our belts – in October, no less – it looks like it is going be a long winter. As Congress continues its work on the appropriations process and setting the final funding levels for LIHEAP, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure we are able to meet our needs this winter in a fiscally-responsible manner."

Bass has long been a strong supporter of LIHEAP. Earlier this year, he offered a fully-offset amendment to the Continuing Resolution to restore funding for the LIHEAP emergency contingency fund.

A text of Bass' letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee is below:

October 31, 2011

Dear Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Dicks:

I am writing to express my strong support for a level of funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 that will meet the needs of states like New Hampshire and others. Winter has already hit New Hampshire with over a foot of snow falling across the state this past weekend. In addition, energy experts forecast higher than ever home heating oil prices. The Energy Information Administration projects that the price of heating oil will be 10 percent higher this winter than last.

The combination of a struggling economy, an early winter, and higher fuel prices will present a challenge to many low-income families and individuals in our state. LIHEAP provides the vital assistance necessary to ensure that these households can get through the winter in a safe manner. In 2011, New Hampshire LIHEAP provided assistance to over 40,000 households.

While I understand our current fiscal constraints, it is imperative that LIHEAP is funded at a level that can help families meet their energy needs this winter. I look forward to working with you on this issue moving forward and finding a funding level that is fiscally responsible and meets the demands for assistance. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Charles F. Bass
Member of Congress

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