Rush says Bush’s proposed LIHEAP budget amount does little to offset energy costs for low-income families

At the request of President Bush, Congressman Bobby L. Rush and several other bipartisan Members of Congress, most of whom who sit on the House Energy & Commerce Committee, met with the president to discuss his Advanced Energy Initiative, which was outlined during his State of the Union Address.

During the meeting, Congressman Rush urged President Bush to fully fund the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as authorized with the passage of his amendment under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for $5.1 billion. A staunch champion for LIHEAP, Rush also called on Bush to fully fund the Weatherization Program.

"I am disappointed by President Bush’s lackadaisical response when I asked him why he has not fully funded LIHEAP. President Bush’s rationale of asking for more LIHEAP funding this year than last year just does not sit well with me or the low income citizens with dire heating and cooling needs, who were counting on the full $5.1 billion.”