APPALACHIAN VOICES

INS · Insurance

Support efforts to ensure adequate insurance levels for coal mining reclamation and black lung insurance.

HCR · Health Issues

Support for funding for NIOSH and coal workers programs to prevent black lung disease. Oppose H.R. 5304 due to related funding cuts. Support S. 2587 to fund health and labor programs. Support legislation to improve benefits for miners with black lung disease - S. 3491, H.R. 6756, S. 3505, H.R. 6757.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 5304, S. 2587, S. 3491, H.R. 6756, S. 3505, H.R. 6757

AGR · Agriculture

Support for funding for the Rural Disaster Home Repair Program, WIC, SNAP, food assistance, Rural Partners Network, and Rural Energy for America Program in FY27 appropriations bills.

BNK · Bankruptcy

Coal mining bankruptcies, lobbying for legislation to ensure money for reclamation after coal bankruptcies. Support H.R. 7249

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 7249

BUD · Budget/Appropriations

Support for funding in appropriations bills for OSMRE, MSHA, OSHA, EDA, USDA, FEMA, USGS, AmeriCorps, CDFI, Appalachian Regional Commission, clean energy, economic development, and rural energy.

CAW · Clean Air and Water (quality)

Oppose efforts to roll back Clean Air and Clean Water Act protections. Oppose S. 2750: SANDBOX Act. Support S. 2508: Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair Act of 2025, to protect people from gas leaks. Oppose H.R. 4776: SPEED Act due to impacts on air and water quality. Support H.R. 4705: ACHE Act to protect communities from impacts of coal mining. Oppose H.R. 3632: Power Plant Reliability Act Oppose H.R. 3668: Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act Oppose 3898: Permit Act Support H.R. 7249 related to coal reclamation bonds. Oppose Nationwide Permitting Improvement Act, H.R. 3927 Support funding for clean water infrastructure for West Virginia communities and more broadly.

Literal federal measure citations: S. 2750, S. 2508, H.R. 4776, H.R. 4705, H.R. 3632, H.R. 3668, H.R. 7249, H.R. 3927

DIS · Disaster Planning/Emergencies

Support S. 267, H.R. 76 to provide for reimbursement of repairs to private roads and bridges in North Carolina damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. Support funding for FEMA, Rural Disaster Home Repair Program, flood mitigation assistance, priority streamgages network, USGS funding in FY 26 and FY 27 appropriations, H.R. 4754, H.R. 4213 and S. 2431. Provide feedback on FEMA reform bills to members of Congress. Support H.R. 4669 to improve FEMA processes. Oppose HR 4553 due to agency and program cuts. Oppose rescission and freezing of funds for disaster relief provided through FEMA and EPA.

Literal federal measure citations: S. 267, H.R. 76, H.R. 4754, H.R. 4213, S. 2431, H.R. 4669, HR 4553

ECN · Economics/Economic Development

Support funding in FY26 and FY27 appropriations bills for economic development efforts in Appalachia, including Appalachian Regional Commission, EDA, EPA, and USDA programs, including in H.R. 4553, HR 4121, HR 3944, HR 4754, S 2431, H.R. 5304, H.R. 5342. Oppose H.R. 5342 due to funding cuts to the Economic Development Administration. Support HR 5687 to ensure people are able to heat their homes. Support S. 3965 to make EDA applications more accessible.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 4553, HR 4121, HR 3944, HR 4754, S 2431, H.R. 5304, H.R. 5342, H.R. 5342, HR 5687, S. 3965

ENG · Energy/Nuclear

Support for H.R. 1373, H.R 144, and S. 1354 related to TVA transparency and salary transparency, and the TVA IRP bill (H.R. 6357) related to improving TVA's IRP process. Oppose new nominees to TVA board. Oppose bills decreasing funding for the DOE, including H.R. 4553. Support reinstating clean electric tax credits, including S. 2681: Lowering Electric Bills Act. Oppose HR 4121 due to funding cuts to the Department of Agriculture and related energy programs. Oppose H.R. 3668 Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act and H.R. 3632 Power Plant Reliability Act, due to impacts on communities dealing with harmful pollution and climate change impacts. Oppose S. 4112 and H.R. 7070 to extend coal production tax credits. Support the Energy Bills Relief Act (H.R. 7977).

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 1373, H.R 144, S. 1354, H.R. 6357, H.R. 4553, S. 2681, HR 4121, H.R. 3668, H.R. 3632, S. 4112, H.R. 7070, H.R. 7977

FUE · Fuel/Gas/Oil

Support S. 2508: Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair Act of 2025, to protect people from gas leaks. Oppose H.R. 3668 Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act and H.R. 3632 Power Plant Reliability Act, due to impacts on communities dealing with harmful pollution and climate change impacts.

Literal federal measure citations: S. 2508, H.R. 3668, H.R. 3632

LBR · Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace

Ensure adequate benefits for miners with black lung disease. Ensure adequate funding for MSHA and DOL to protect miners' health and safety. Support funding for reentry employment opportunities, registered apprenticeships, workforce innovation and opportunity act training and employment services grants, OSHA, and NIOSH in FY 26 appropriations bills. Oppose H.R. 5304 due to funding cuts to MSHA, DOL; Support S. 2587 to fund health and labor programs. Support legislation to improve benefits for miners with black lung disease - S. 3491, H.R. 6756, S. 3505, H.R. 6757.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 5304, S. 2587, S. 3491, H.R. 6756, S. 3505, H.R. 6757

MAN · Manufacturing

No lobbying on this issue this quarter.

NAT · Natural Resources

Ensure reclamation of coal mines. Support H.R. 7249 to ensure adequate bonds for coal reclamation. Oppose cuts to EPA and Interior programs in FY 26 appropriations, including HR 4553 and H.R. 4754. Oppose H.R. 4776: SPEED Act due to impacts on air and water quality. Support H.R. 4705: ACHE Act to protect communities from impacts of coal mining. Support H.R. 2405 White Oak Resilience Act. Oppose 3898 Permit Act, H.R. 1897 ESA Amendments Act, H.R. 7872 to amend the Mineral Leasing Act. Support the ePermit Act.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 7249, HR 4553, H.R. 4754, H.R. 4776, H.R. 4705, H.R. 2405, H.R. 1897, H.R. 7872

UTI · Utilities

Support reinstating clean electric tax credits, including S. 2681: Lowering Electric Bills Act. Support for H.R. 1373, H.R 144, and S. 1354 related to TVA transparency and salary transparency, and the TVA IRP bill (H.R. 6357) related to improving TVA's IRP process. Oppose new nominees to TVA board. Oppose bills decreasing funding for the DOE, including H.R. 4553. Support reinstating clean electric tax credits, including S. 2681: Lowering Electric Bills Act. Oppose HR 4121 due to funding cuts to the Department of Agriculture and related energy programs. Oppose H.R. 3668 Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act and H.R. 3632 Power Plant Reliability Act, due to impacts on communities dealing with harmful pollution and climate change impacts. Support the Energy Bills Relief Act (H.R. 7977).

Literal federal measure citations: S. 2681, H.R. 1373, H.R 144, S. 1354, H.R. 6357, H.R. 4553, S. 2681, HR 4121, H.R. 3668, H.R. 3632, H.R. 7977

TAX · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code

Support reinstating clean electric tax credits, including S. 2681: Lowering Electric Bills Act. Support the Energy Bills Relief Act (H.R. 7977).

Literal federal measure citations: S. 2681, H.R. 7977

HOU · Housing

Support funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs in FY 27 appropriations.

ENV · Environment/Superfund

Support funding for EPA in FY 27 appropriations bills.