News Releases for November 2005
November 9, 2005
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Hoeven Working To Provide Home Heating Assistance
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today said there is support among Administration and Congressional leaders to increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) before the upcoming winter. Last month, Hoeven directed the state Department of Human Services to maintain the original eligibility levels for home heating fuel assistance through the fall and pledged to continue to work for federal funding.
According to Hoeven, there is $1 billion in the U.S. House of Representatives' Budget Reconciliation Bill for home heating assistances, and house members have told him they believe it will stay there. He's also been assured by Administration officials and Senate leaders that there is support for the additional funding.
At this point, Congress has not yet provided additional funding to maintain program eligibility with higher fuel costs, but Hoeven said today there is support in both the Administration and Congress to do so.
"We're addressing the home heating assistance funding issue at both the state and federal levels," Hoeven said. "In addition, we are working through the Department of Commerce's Division of Community Services and private sector utilities to help bring conservation and fuel assistance to needy citizens."
Hoeven has met with Administration officials as well as high level members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate and their staffs in Washington, D.C. regarding LIHEAP and farm policy, and trade issues. These include Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner; Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee Saxby Chambliss; Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Congressman Bob Goodlatte; and Senate Agriculture appropriations Chairman Robert Bennett.
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