APPALACHIAN VOICES

AGR · Agriculture

Oppose H.R. 1 due to cuts to SNAP / nutrition programs. Support for funding for the Rural Disaster Home Repair Program, WIC, SNAP, food assistance, Rural Partners Network, and Rural Energy for America Program in FY26 appropriations bills; oppose HR 4121 due to funding cuts to the DOA and related programs. Oppose cuts, rescissions, and freezes to funding to USDA Rural Energy for America, New ERA, and PACE programs related to clean energy.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 1, HR 4121

BNK · Bankruptcy

Coal mining bankruptcies, lobbying for legislation to ensure money for reclamation after coal bankruptcies. No bill #s.

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; oppose H.R. 4553, HR 4121, HR 3944, HR 4754, S 2431, H.R. 5304, H.R. 5342, due to related funding cuts. Oppose H.R. 1 due to cuts to clean energy, health care, nutrition programs and environmental protections.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 4553, HR 4121, HR 3944, HR 4754, S 2431, H.R. 5304, H.R. 5342, H.R. 1

CAW · Clean Air and Water (quality)

Oppose H.R. 1 due to provisions to circumvent clean air and clean water protections by expediting permitting review, granting automatic approvals for certain infrastructure projects, and repeal of EPA clean air programs. Oppose cuts to EPA and Interior funding in appropriations bills, including H.R. 4553 and H.R. 4754. 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.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 1, H.R. 4553, H.R. 4754, S. 2750, S. 2508, H.R. 4776, H.R. 4705

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. Oppose H.R. 1 due to cuts to Medicaid. Support legislation to improve benefits for miners with black lung disease (no bill numbers yet).

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 5304, S. 2587, H.R. 1

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 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 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

ECN · Economics/Economic Development

Support funding in FY26 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. 5342Oppose H.R. 1 due to ending programs supporting economic development in rural and Appalachian communities. Oppose H.R. 5342 due to funding cuts to the Economic Development Administration.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 4553, HR 4121, HR 3944, HR 4754, S 2431, H.R. 5304, H.R. 1, H.R. 5342

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 (no bill numbers) 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.

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

FUE · Fuel/Gas/Oil

Oppose H.R. 1 due to expedited permitting processes for oil, gas, and coal, lower royalty rates for oil, gas, and coal, and expanded drilling and mining on public lands. Support S. 2508: Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Repair Act of 2025, to protect people from gas leaks.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 1, S. 2508

INS · Insurance

Ensuring adequate insurance levels for coal mining reclamation and black lung insurance. no specific bill numbers yet. Oppose H.R. 1 due to cuts to Medicaid.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 1

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 Senate Res. 412 due to nomination of Wayne Palmer and his opposition to the MSHA silica dust rule. Oppose H.R. 5304 due to funding cuts to MSHA, DOL; Support S. 2587 to fund health and labor programs.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 5304, S. 2587

MAN · Manufacturing

Oppose H.R. 1 due to cuts to manufacturing programs.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 1

NAT · Natural Resources

Ensure reclamation of coal mines. No specific bill numbers yet. Oppose cuts to EPA and Interior programs in FY 26 appropriations, including HR 4553 and H.R. 4754. Oppose H.R. 1 due to mandatory mining, drilling, and deforestation on public lands, and repeal of EPA programs. 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.

Literal federal measure citations: HR 4553, H.R. 4754, H.R. 1, H.R. 4776, H.R. 4705

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 (no bill numbers) related to improving TVA's IRP process. Oppose new nominees to TVA board.

Literal federal measure citations: S. 2681, H.R. 1373, H.R 144, S. 1354

TAX · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code

Oppose H.R. 1 due to repeal of clean energy and manufacturing tax credits and tax cuts for billionaires. Support reinstating clean electric tax credits, including S. 2681: Lowering Electric Bills Act.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 1, S. 2681

HOU · Housing

Support funding for Department of Housing and Urban Affairs in FY 26 appropriations (H.R. 4552, S. 2465).

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 4552, S. 2465

ENV · Environment/Superfund

Oppose H.R. 1 due to cuts to EPA programs. Support funding for EPA in FY 26 appropriations bills (H.R. 4754; S. 2431).

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 1, H.R. 4754, S. 2431

MMM · Medicare/Medicaid

Oppose H.R. 1 due to cuts to medicare.

Literal federal measure citations: H.R. 1