Washington, DC —
Senator John Thune voted in favor of legislation passed by the Senate today accelerating $1 billion in FY 2007 LIHEAP funds, so that it can be used this winter to curtail anticipated emergency funding shortages.
"This action will accelerate the distribution of critical LIHEAP funds to those states that need it most," Thune said. "This is welcome news for low-income South Dakotans struggling to pay their heating bills this winter.
"Unfortunately, we had the chance to approve $2 billion in immediate LIHEAP funding last December—nearly twice the amount released today—but it was blocked by obstructionists in the Senate. Regardless, today's action is a positive step for low-income South Dakotans and will go a long way toward keeping them safe and warm for the remainder of the winter."
"This action will accelerate the distribution of critical LIHEAP funds to those states that need it most," Thune said. "This is welcome news for low-income South Dakotans struggling to pay their heating bills this winter.
"Unfortunately, we had the chance to approve $2 billion in immediate LIHEAP funding last December—nearly twice the amount released today—but it was blocked by obstructionists in the Senate. Regardless, today's action is a positive step for low-income South Dakotans and will go a long way toward keeping them safe and warm for the remainder of the winter."
