U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) expressed displeasure with the newly released budget from the White House and its effect on rural communities. "Hardworking West Virginians, who are trying to provide for their families and their futures, have to wonder why this budget finds more money for foreign aid and less money to invest here at home," Rahall said.

"This budget cuts into the heart of American values. While evidently rebuilding countries across the world the budget cuts money to build the economy and infrastructure of West Virginia," Rahall said. "The Administration does not want to invest in our businesses and industries. This budget slashes everything from Industrial Park Grants to street repairs."

The budget makes devastating cuts to many programs that help Southern West Virginia including the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the Community Development Block Grant program. The EDA has been a great source of funding for economic development and the Community Development Block Grant helps fund local economic opportunities for communities such as business development, affordable housing and disaster relief.

The budget proposes to eliminate many of these programs and combine them into one large program that has much less funding. This would make it harder for towns in Southern West Virginia to get additional money for future projects that are desperately needed.

"We want a healthy economy, more jobs, and an improved standard of living," Rahall continued. "We must invest in our infrastructure to achieve these goals. It won't happen by cutting funding to small farmers, economic development projects, and funding for community programs across the country."

Rahall also expressed his displeasure in the funding for Abandoned Mine Lands. "The amount of money the Republicans are proposing is a drop in the bucket compared to the more than $2 billion in unspent AML funds sitting idle in the Treasury," said Rahall. "This is a disservice to coal mining communities in West Virginia and across the country. It certainly is not helpful to our continuing efforts to fight the human health and safety threats these abandoned coal mines pose."