FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2022
Kuster Slams Burns for Supporting Cuts to Home Heating Oil Assistance
**During his interview on WMUR’s CloseUp, Bob Burns said he would support cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)**
Concord, NH — Today, Annie Kuster is calling out Republican Bob Burns for saying he would support cuts to home heating assistance for families across New Hampshire. During Burns’ interview on WMUR’s CloseUp, Burns said, “Oh, yeah, that sounds great to me,” when asked about cutting the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). More than 140,000 Granite Staters are eligible for LIHEAP.
“Granite State families are feeling the pinch of rising home heating oil, especially as we head into the winter months,” said Kuster. “That’s why I have been focused on cutting costs and expanding access to home heating assistance to ensure no family has to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table. It is disturbing that my opponent would cut this critical relief for Granite Staters when they need it most. I will always fight for New Hampshire to ensure no one is left behind, my opponent won't, and that’s the difference.”
"The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a lifeline for families across New Hampshire who cannot afford the utilities they need,” said Kris Shultz, New Hampshire State Representative for Merrimack District 18. “This program is critical for our communities, especially as we head into the winter months and it is appalling that Republican candidate Bob Burns would support cutting this relief for families. Lucky for New Hampshire, we have Congresswoman Annie Kuster who has been a fierce advocate for expanding access to LIHEAP and lowering costs for families."
Annie Kuster has been a fierce advocate for New Hampshire families and for lowering energy costs. She helped more than double LIHEAP funding for New Hampshire through the American Rescue Plan and other legislation to ensure no New Hampshire family was left in the cold this winter. She fiercely advocated for easing home heating costs by releasing inventory from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve and lowering gas prices by releasing from Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Kuster also introduced legislation to quadruple the home heating oil reserve to secure the well-being of families in the years to come.
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