September 23, 2000

Washington, D.C. —Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman, both D-Conn., today issued the following statements on President Clinton's decision to release more than $8.7 million from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help people in Connecticut who may have difficulty paying for heating fuel this winter. Earlier this month, the Senators joined a bipartisan group of Senators in urging the President to take this action.

Senator Dodd:

"I commend the President for acting to release LIHEAP assistance early. The early release will help us avoid past delays in getting relief to those who need it. As summer ends and temperatures drop, the need for a warm home rises. And this critically important assistance can help ensure that families in Connecticut don't have to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table."

Senator Lieberman:

"This is welcome news for many of our most vulnerable citizens in Connecticut and around New England. I appreciate the President's sensitivity to this issue. The LIHEAP program is one of the most important tools we have to help low-income families pay their heating bills this winter."