U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) praised the passage of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 and the many victories won by the 110th Congress on behalf of the people of West Virginia.

"This bill showcases just how far out of touch with reality the current administration has become," said Rahall. "Even though last year there were over 43,000 fatalities on our roads and highways and alcohol-related deaths were at their highest since 1992, the President has proposed staff cuts at the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Even under tight fiscal restraints and PAYGO policies, the Democratic Congress is fighting to protect American values, and always has the health and welfare of West Virginians in mind."

Congressman Rahall is the second most senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which oversees the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highways Administration. Rahall particularly praised increases in Airport Modernization, Safety and Efficiency Grants that will bring much needed relief to areas like Huntington, which is experiencing drastic increases in airport activity. Additionally, the bill's housing provisions will help countless elderly and disabled West Virginias finally acquire, maintain, and construct homes.

Highlights of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2008 include:

* Highway Infrastructure: $40.2 billion, $1.25 billion above 2007 and $631 million above the President's request, to improve and maintain our nation's aging highway infrastructure.
* Airport Modernization, Safety and Efficiency: $3.6 billion, $85.5 million above 2007 and $850 million above the President's request, to ease congestion and prepare our nation's airport infrastructure to handle an anticipated 1 billion passengers by 2015.
* Essential Air Service: $110 million, $600,000 above 2007 and $60 million above the President's request, to continue essential air service to small and/or rural communities. The President's proposal would have resulted in the elimination of air service to nearly a third of the communities that currently receive service.
* Small Community Air Service Development: $10 million, $10 million above the President's request, to continue the DOT grant program to help small communities to attract commercial air service.
* Highway Safety: $599.3 million, $11.5 million above 2007, to encourage safety belt use, prevent drinking and driving, improve child safety, motorcyclist safety, and other initiatives.
* Community Development: $4 billion, $228 million above 2007 and $963 million above the President's request, to fund community and economic development projects in 1,180 localities.
* Housing for the Elderly: $734.5 million, $159.6 million above the President's request, for the acquisition, rehabilitation or construction of housing for low-income elderly people. Ten eligible seniors are on the waiting list for every one unit of housing available.
* Housing for the Disabled: The bill includes $236.6 million, $111.6 million above the President's request, for grants to finance the acquisition, rehabilitation or construction of housing for disabled people.

The U.S. Senate must now approve its own version of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The two versions will have to be reconciled in a conference committee and then sent back to both bodies for final passage before being presented to the White House to be signed into law.