Issues
Nick Rahall is a tireless advocate in Congress on behalf of the people of southern West Virginia. Since the day he was first elected 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.
Delivering Jobs to West Virginians
This year Congressman Rahall voted to get more West Virginians back to work through the passage of H.R. 2847, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act.
"Jobs for West Virginians is my big priority. The $651 million in critically needed highway dollars puts West Virginians to work… This is more than a shot in the arm, it's an inoculation against a future economic downturn. By extending funding for our highway and transit programs for a whole year, our state can better plan and organize our priorities."
Driving the diversification of the economic base of southern West Virginia through his "three Ts" agenda (transportation, technology and tourism), Nick Rahall remains steadfast in his belief that a more secure America begins here, at home, by properly investing in our police departments, our fire departments, our communities' infrastructures, and by launching economic initiatives that will improve the overall strength and stability of southern West Virginia.
Protecting the Health and Safety of West Virginians
Congressman Rahall has taken on the cause of greater protections for coalfield citizens by spearheading legislation to extend the Abandoned Mine Reclamation program, which provides funds to combat health, safety and environmental threats from old mine sites. In the course of this effort, provisions were included to allow these funds to be used for public water supply systems in the coalfields as well as to help finance health care for retired coal miners. In the aftermath of the Sago and Aracoma mine disasters, Nick Rahall won enactment of legislation to improve mine emergency response. He was also instrumental in stopping plans by the Bush Administration to increase the level of crippling respirable dust allowed in coal mines. In the aftermath of the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion, Nick Rahall is at the forefront of efforts to insure such disasters do not happen again.
Expanding West Virginia's Economic Base
Recognized for his dedicated efforts to promote the diversification of the economic base of southern West Virginia, Nick Rahall's commitment to the Southern Highlands Initiative is helping to support the development of new industrial and business parks to be located within each of the southern coalfield counties. His dedication to promoting high technology development is also clear through his establishment of the Connected Technology Corridors Program, which focuses on the advance of small businesses and entrepreneurial enterprises along major transportation corridors such as Interstate 64 and 77.
Fighting for Our Veterans and Senior Citizens
Nick Rahall has worked to maintain and expand health care services to veterans -- including development of a new outpatient facility -- 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. Additionally, he has strongly defended education programs as critical investments in our children’s future.
Standing Up for Energy Independence
Congressman Rahall has been a leader in the effort to end royalty holidays and giveaways to big oil and gas companies who reaped record profits, while American taxpayers continued to experience skyrocketing gas prices. Rahall has promoted America's energy independence by pushing for the use of clean coal technologies and introducing the Coal to Liquid Fuel Energy Act in an effort to encourage investment in West Virginia workers and resources.
Knowing the Needs and Values of West Virginians
A 33rd degree Mason, Nick Rahall is a life member of the National Rifle Association, the Loyal Orders of Elks and Moose, and was made an honorary member of the United Mine Workers of America. Before his election to Congress, Rahall served as a staff assistant to U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, and as a businessman. Congressman Rahall and his wife Melinda have three children: Rebecca, Nick Joe, III and Suzanne Nicole and a granddaughter, Madison Kaylee.
