Bill contains $3.4 billion in support for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) nationwide, an increase of $169 million from sequester levels

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken today announced that increased heating assistance for seniors was included in the bipartisan omnibus spending bill. The bill contains $3.4 billion, an increase of $169 million from sequester levels, in support for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) nationwide, which helps ensure individuals and families receive critical heating during winter months.

“As we’ve seen with the recent cold snap, Minnesota’s winters can be worse than uncomfortable – they can be life threatening,” Klobuchar said. “This support for LIHEAP will help ensure all Minnesotan’s can keep their families safe and make sure no one is left out in the cold.”

“Anybody who’s lived through a Minnesota winter knows that home heating is not a choice—it’s a necessity,” Franken said. “LIHEAP helps tens of thousands of Minnesota families and seniors keep the heat on, and this increased support will help give them the assistance they need to get through the winter.”

Since taking office, Klobuchar and Franken have successfully fought to ensure that tens of millions of dollars in emergency LIHEAP funding have been available to Minnesota families and seniors. In December, they joined a bipartisan coalition of their colleagues and asked the President to increase annual funding for LIHEAP.

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