WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today assailed Senate Republicans for blocking an additional $2.53 billion in funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Senator Clinton is a cosponsor of the legislation, which Republicans blocked by filibuster today in the United States Senate. New York would receive an additional $250 million in aid under the legislation.

“With skyrocketing energy prices, many New York families are being forced to choose between paying their energy bills and paying for food and healthcare,” said Senator Clinton. “We know we will face higher heating oil costs this winter, and low-income households will be hardest hit. It is outrageous and unconscionable that Senate Republicans blocked consideration of this bill to provide energy assistance for our most vulnerable families.”

Rising oil prices mean that New York families who rely on heating oil will see big increases in heating costs this winter. A typical family using about 600 gallons of heating oil per year would see their winter fuel bill rise to a total of $2,700 at current prices.

Senator Clinton’s support for the bill today continues her work to fully fund the LIHEAP program. Earlier this week she spoke on the Senate Floor and voiced her strong support for the program. In April, Senator Clinton joined a bipartisan coalition of her colleagues in urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to fully fund LIHEAP at $5.1 billion in 2009. Late last year, as part of her ongoing efforts to ensure working families receive the resources they need to combat rising heating and energy costs, Senator Clinton called on the President to immediately release all funding from the LIHEAP contingency fund, which is available at his discretion.

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