Senators Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Susan Collins of Maine sent a letter today to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles Schumer calling for at least $1 billion in additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help struggling families weather the COVID-19 crisis.
The letter underscores the important role LIHEAP plays in making sure struggling families can make ends meet. The COVID-19 pandemic will lead to millions of wage earners temporarily out of work due to quarantine, or with significant healthcare bills related to treatment of the disease. The Trump Administration estimates unemployment could reach 20 percent. Additional funding for LIHEAP provide a lifeline for these families, helping them stay afloat until the crisis is over.