With winter fast approaching and energy prices rising, U.S. Sen. Al Franken, DFL, Minn., called on administration officials to continue funding a critical program to help a growing number of seniors and low-income Minnesotans afford to keep their heat on when temperatures drop.

"At a time when our economy is in serious need of recovery and Minnesotans are struggling to make ends meet, the unprecedented rise in energy costs can force families across our state to choose between buying groceries and staying warm," Franken said in a prepared statement. "That should never happen, and heating assistance is a last resort for Minnesotans who otherwise can't afford to heat their homes. I urge Congress and the administration to work together to make these vitally important funds available."

In a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Sen. Franken urged the HHS to release the funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as quickly as possible and at an adequate level.

HHS has not yet released any of the LIHEAP funds and is considering providing grants to states based on a new, lower allocation formula for 2012. That means that Minnesota could face drastic shortfalls next year, especially since heating costs are predicted to rise and the number of eligible Minnesotans is also expected to rise.

The letter was addressed to Secretary Sebelius, and was signed by Sen. Franken and a bipartisan group of 32 senators.

Since taking office, Sen. Franken has successfully fought to ensure that tens of millions of dollars in emergency LIHEAP funding have been available to low-income Minnesota families and seniors. -- Franken press release