Press Releases
Dingell, Stevens, Bonamici, Young, Veasey Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Energy Assistance for Low-Income Families
Washington,
July 17, 2020
WASHINGTON — Yesterday, Reps. Haley Stevens (MI-11), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Don Young (AK-At Large), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), and Marc Veasey (TX-33) introduced H.R. 7662, bipartisan legislation to help low-income families afford heating and cooling bills during the coronavirus pandemic. “As the COVID-19 pandemic forces millions of Michiganders to work from home or out of work, many Michigan families need basic energy assistance to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer,” said Congresswoman Haley Stevens. “The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps families reduce the risk of health and safety problems that arise from utility shutoffs, and Congress must strengthen this program as state agencies face additional challenges related to the pandemic. In my home state, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is reporting massive increases in LIHEAP applications, creating a processing backlog that is further complicated by the unexpected transition to remote work. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen LIHEAP by helping state agencies address application backlogs and transition smoothly to remote work for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation must be included in the next COVID-19 relief package to ensure that low income families in Michigan and across the country get the energy assistance they need during this crisis.”
“America is an Arctic nation because of Alaska, and brutally cold temperatures are the norm for our state’s residents,” said Congressman Don Young. “For years, LIHEAP has helped some of our most vulnerable populations – from our cities to our rural areas and Native villages – stay warm and safe through the winter. The COVID-19 pandemic has already imposed immense economic costs on our state’s families. As the winter approaches, many Alaskans will require energy assistance; the LIHEAP program must be available to those who need it. I am proud to join Congresswoman Haley Stevens on this crucial legislation to strengthen this important program that countless families in Alaska and across our nation depend on.”
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