Washington - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a strong advocate for increasing funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that helps families who are struggling with daunting energy costs this winter, said he is pleased with the administration's announcement today that it will be releasing around $450 million in LIHEAP emergency contingency funds, and more than $25 million will go to New Jersey.

"The New Year began with the price of oil hitting $100 dollar a barrel, which translates into out of control heating costs for all Americans, especially for low-income families. In the richest country on earth people shouldn't have to wonder whether they can keep their homes warm through the harsh winter, and I am pleased the administration has taken this action," said Menendez.

This past December, Sen. Menendez joined Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) in asking the president for an additional $1 billion in funding (http://menendez.senate.gov/pdf/120307LIHEAPletter.pdf); he is also a co-sponsor of legislation Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-VT) introduced - the Keep Americans Warm Act of 2007 would also increase funding to LIHEAP by $1 billion.

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