U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders wants to boost federal home heating assistance this winter by $1 billion dollars.
The move faces a fight from President Bush, who wants to reduce funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, by $329 million.
Sanders say sharply rising home heating fuel prices demand more federal funding. He calls it inconceivable that the president wants to cut funding for the program.
The federal government estimates that home heating costs are expected to be up 22 percent this winter over the last heating season.