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Bishops Ask Congress To Keep Funding For Heating Assistance

BOSTON (AP) -- The state's four Roman Catholic bishops are urging Congressional leaders not to cut funding for a program that helps low income families pay for heat.

In a letter dated Friday, the bishops in the dioceses of Boston, Fall River, Springfield and Worcester said cuts to the Low Income Energy Heating Assistance Program "would be nothing short of devastating."

The proposed cut would reduce the program's current funding of $5.1 billion by roughly half.

The bishops said they recognize lawmakers face "excruciating choices," given a tough economy and pressure to reduce spending.

But they said the proposed cuts would deny more than 3 million families critical heating assistance. They asked Congress to "preserve a special place" for the most vulnerable residents as they debate the budget.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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