I write in response to a letter by Matthew Labrie of Campton regarding the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program ("Sununu has voted against heating aid," Monitor, Aug. 8).

I have an 11-year record of support for LIHEAP that includes the following more recent votes and statements:

• Support for more than $2 billion in LIHEAP funding for fiscal year 2005 within the Consolidated Appropriations Act;

• Support for more than $2 billion for LIHEAP for fiscal year 2006 within the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act;

• Support for more than $2 billion for LIHEAP for fiscal year 2007 within the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act;

• Support for an additional $1 billion in LIHEAP funding over and above the fiscal year 2008 request of $2.4 billion for the program; and,

• Support for this vital fuel assistance and weatherization program in letters to President Bush in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Last month, I cosponsored and voted in favor of legislation by Sen. Bernie Sanders to provide an additional $2.53 billion for the program, which would bring total funding to $5.1 billion in fiscal year 2008. I recently joined Sen. Judd Gregg in introducing a bill that would provide an additional $2.53 billion for LIHEAP and an additional $523 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program, as well as create a new 50-percent credit for home heating oil expenditures. I asked the administration to release the remaining $120 million in fiscal year 2008 contingency funds and have joined state and local officials to brainstorm how resources from all levels of government can be brought together to help those who struggle with home heating costs.

I remain committed to helping struggling individuals and families handle heating bills this season, just as I have in the past.

Sen. JOHN E. SUNUNU

Waterville Valley