Senators ask Trump to help people reduce home energy costs

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Two senators from New England are leading a coalition of senators who are asking President Donald Trump to prioritize funding for programs that reduce home energy costs for low-income households.

U.S. Sens. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, and Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, are leading the coalition that's asking Trump to include robust funding in his fiscal 2018 budget request for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program.

They say a total of 45 senators are urging support for these programs to ensure access to affordable home energy for the most vulnerable households nationwide.

Reed and Collins have worked together to prevent funding for heating assistance from being cut.

They say people shouldn't have to choose between paying energy bills and affording other necessities.