BURLINGTON, Vt.—The three members of Vermont's congressional delegation are calling on Congress to increase federal spending on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch held a news conference Monday in Burlington to discuss their efforts to have the program in place before the beginning of next winter's heating season.
The two senators have co-sponsored legislation that would authorize an additional $2.53 billion for the heating assistance program nationwide. Welch introduced a measure in the House.
If approved, Vermont would immediately receive an additional $6.2 million in aid, and the state would be eligible for another $14 million in emergency funds for this winter.
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