“The Senate is back to work for the American people, debating and passing individual appropriations bills and prioritizing crucial funding for our country and our state.” – Sen. Capito

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said that approval of two appropriations bills today shows a commitment to our elderly veterans, underscores the need for long-term infrastructure improvements, and bolsters forward-thinking technologies in West Virginia and across the country. 

Today, the committee considered and passed the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies and the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Acts for FY 2016. Both include several key priorities that are of importance to West Virginia. 

“Governing is about setting priorities and bringing fiscal responsibility to the federal government while ensuring that it provides necessary investments and services,” said Senator Capito. “The Senate is back to work for the American people, debating appropriations bills and prioritizing crucial funding for our country and our state.”

The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY 2016 includes the following priorities:

  • Construction of State Extended Care Facilities is funded at $100 million. This funding will assist states with construction, expansion and remodeling of nursing home facilities to care for veterans. 
  • Construction at Yeager Airport in Charleston to relocate Coonskin Road and help ensure the viability and security of our 130th Airlift Wing will move forward.

The Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for FY 2016 includes the following priorities:

  • The Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Morgantown, WV works every day to develop technologies to make coal, oil, and natural gas energy production cleaner and more efficient. NETL will benefit greatly from $610 million in funding for Fossil Energy Research & Development.
  • West Virginia is the only state entirely consumed by the Appalachian region. $105 million of funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission will support infrastructure investments that provide jobs, clean water and training opportunities.
  • The Department of Energy’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research will receive $20 million in funding for research projects in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
  • From maintaining our infrastructure, including locks and dams, to approving mine permits, the work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impacts every West Virginian. $52 million in funding will go to construction on the Monongahela River, and more than $11 million for construction and operations at Bluestone Dam in Hinton.

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