PARKERSBURG -Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin, Democrats from West Virginia, say they're working on the funding to complete the Appalachian Development Highway System in the rural parts of West Virginia and other states.
The Senate is debating a surface transportation bill that will reduce funds for the highway system. An amendment from Rockefeller restores funding.
The remaining project to be completed in West Virginia is Corridor H, which goes east-west through Elkins. Corridor D through Parkersburg and Belpre, only completed several years ago, was among the projects in the highway system.
"After 47 years, I had hoped that the Appalachian Development Highway System would be complete by now, but there are still portions that need to be built. I believe that Congress should stand by that commitment," said Rockefeller.
Rockefeller cited job development, opening up markets, reducing transit times and safety improvements.
"Investments in infrastructure are one of the best ways we can work together to rebuild American and put Americans back to work," Manchin said. "When we dedicate funding to projects like the Appalachian Development Highway System, we are making investments that build our economy and strengthen this nation's future. These are more than just short-term jobs and projects; roads, highways and bridges lay the foundation for attracting businesses and residents to our region - that's why the completion of the Appalachian Development Highway System is so critical."
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Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., is pushing legislation to expedite the commercial driver's license application process for armed forces members and veterans who drove heavy trucks during their military service.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., have introduced the Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act to fix regulatory problems that make it difficult for small businesses to get loans to expand and create more jobs.
Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., voted for House Bill 4105, of which he was among the original cosponsors, to overturn a ruling by a federal appellate court in December that found U.S. law forbids the Department of Commerce from applying countervailing duties to non-market economies. The legislation passed 370-39.
Rockefeller, Manchin and Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., have asked the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to implement policies to better regulate oil speculation as required by the Wall Street reform law passed in 2010.
Rahall, McKinley and Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., voted for the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act. The legislation passed 390-23 while several amendments to the legislation failed.
The beginning off the highway system was in 1965 with the creation of the Appalachian Regional Commission and is a 3,090-mile network in the states covered by the commission.
