By Alissa Scheller

Large sections of the United States are being frozen by the grip of winter, with a weather system known as a polar vortex bringing subzero temperatures and blizzard conditions across the Midwest. With temperatures set to reach as low as 50 or 60 degrees below zero in some parts of the nation, staying warm will be harder than ever for many Americans. And Congress has only made this task more challenging for those most in need.

Sequestration’s budget cuts last year meant that thousands of families were left in the cold this winter. Congress cut funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program by about $155 million, and total funding has decreased from $5.1 billion to $3.32 billion since 2010.

Read More As Nation Enters Deep Freeze, Congress Is Making Sure Poor Americans Stay Cold.