WASHINGTON--Secretary Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt announced that the Bush Administration will release $100 million in emergency Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) funding.LIHEAP is a federal block grant program that provides states with annual funding to operate home energy assistance programs for low-income households. In addition to helping to pay energy bills for low-income families and the elderly, LIHEAP helps to fund energy crisis intervention programs, low-cost residential weatherization and other energy-related home repairs.Reed stated, Record high heating prices could wipe out many families across the country this winter. I am disappointed that the President did not release the entire $201.5 million that Congress provided. Many states are already overwhelmed with an increased number of LIHEAP applications this winter due to record high heating oil and natural gas prices.$201.5 million includes $183 million approved by Congress last month in emergency funding and the balance of emergency funding from last fiscal year.Reed has consistently asked Congress and the President to provide $5.1 billion in funding for LIHEAP. Unfortunately, while receiving a majority of Senate support, Reeds efforts were defeated on a budget technicality. The Republican Congress last month approved only $2.183 billion. Reed stated, When Congress returns to work in January, I will be pressing the Republican Leadership and the President to provide more funding for this program.