Last week a bipartisan group of fifty Senators urged President Bush to release the remaining $200 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding contained in the FY 2005 omnibus appropriations bill. The letter said, "We believe the heating crisis facing low-income Americans warrants the immediate release of emergency LIHEAP assistance." LIHEAP provides bill payment assistance, energy crisis assitance, and weatherization and home repairs to primarily low-income families to help them battle extreme weather conditions and maintain a certain standard of living. It is encouraging the half of the Senate recognize the program's importance and acted on this through a letter to Bush. More information about LIHEAP can be found here and here.