By Alisa Reznick
Lawmakers are asking Congressional leaders to ramp up a federal program that helps low-income families with energy costs.
The request comes from 115 U.S. representatives — including Arizona Democrats Ruben Gallego, Raúl Grijalva and Greg Stanton.
They’re asking for $1.6 billion to go toward the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — which is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services.
The lawmakers say the program is a lifeline for families having to choose between staying warm, and paying for food and medicine.
They say more than 6 million households were using the program in 2022 but that it’s historically underfunded. And as negotiations over government spending packages continue, that funding should be included.