WASHINGTON — As the temperatures continue to drop, member of Congress are putting the heat on the U.S Department of Health and Human Services to release utilities assistance funding.

After the record-long federal government shutdown ended, money for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — or LIHEAP — didn’t immediately start flowing.

The program helps people who can’t afford to cool their homes during the summer or heat their homes during the winter.

"These are very tough times for people from an affordability standpoint," said Congressman Glenn Ivey.

Maryland Democratic Congressman Glenn Ivey was one of over a hundred congressional leaders who signed a letter sent to Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy, Jr.

In the letter, writing "Without immediate action, millions of families

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