About Nick
Nick Rahall is a tireless advocate in Congress on behalf of the people of southern West Virginia. Since the day he was first elected in 1976 and throughout his career, Rahall has fought for new and promising opportunities for West Virginia’s working men and women. He has labored to ensure that veterans receive the benefits they are owed and that programs important to our seniors are preserved and sustained. He has worked for coal miner health and safety; for safer, more modern roads; and for the basic infrastructure so fundamental to building a better economy for West Virginians.
Rahall is recognized as a leader in the Congress on behalf of coal miners and their families. He spearheaded the successful legislative effort to provide financial solvency for the United Mine Workers health care plans, and, in the aftermath of the Sago and Aracoma mine disasters, he won enactment of new legislation to dramatically improve working conditions for underground coal miners. He was also instrumental in stopping plans by the Bush Administration to increase the level of crippling respirable dust allowed in coal mines.
In addition, Rahall has consistently supported federal investments in clean coal technologies and advocated for energy policies needed to ensure a secure future for coal and the jobs of coal miners.
From his key positions on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure -- where he currently serves as Vice Chairman -- Rahall has brought home federal funds for highway construction throughout his District, including the King Coal Highway, the Coalfields Expressway, and the upgrade of Route 10. He created the Southern West Virginia Environmental Infrastructure Program to help provide residents of the region safe supplies of drinking water and to enable communities to have modern wastewater systems that are essential to business growth.
Rahall has successfully expanded outdoor recreational and tourism opportunities, capitalizing on the immense potential of this growth industry for southern West Virginia. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee -- where he currently serves as Chairman -- he gained enactment of legislation establishing the New River Gorge National River, the Gauley River National Recreation Area, the Southern West Virginia National Coal Heritage Area, and wilderness designations in the Monongahela National Forest.
Rahall has worked to maintain veterans hospitals and expand health care services veterans -- including a new outpatient facility near Lewisburg -- to ensure that those who have defended America have quality health care services close to home. He has stood firm for our seniors and against efforts to raid social security and cut Medicare. And he has strongly defended education programs as critical investments in our children’s future.
Through his accumulated years of dedicated service, Rahall has gained a mastery in the workings of Congress and earned the trust and respect of his colleagues -- assets he puts to work each and every day as he fights for a better economy, more jobs, and a brighter future for southern West Virginia.
A 33rd degree Mason, Rahall is a life member of the National Rifle Association, Elks, and Moose, and was made an honorary member of the United Mine Workers of America. Before his election to the Congress, Rahall served as a staff assistant to U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, and as a businessman. Congressman Rahall has three children: Rebecca, Nick Joe, III and Suzanne Nicole, who is married to Chris Brown; and a granddaughter, Madison Kaylee. Congressman Rahall is married to the former Melinda Ross of Ashland, Kentucky.
