Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and thirty-six other Senators joined together in sending a letter to President George W. Bush requesting the immediate release of $200 million in emergency funds for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Programs (LIHEAP). They cited that the "extended artic cold wave which has covered much of the nation during the last several days," as justification for their request for emergency LIHEAP funds.