Issues
View my positions on various issues that are important to our District and my work in Congress.
In previous Congresses, I had the opportunity to request Federal funding, or so-called earmarks, for community projects, such as repairing a road or a bridge or a local economic development initiative.
I firmly believes that the keys to unlocking the economic promise and potential of southern West Virginia lie in the ‘Three T’s—transportation, technology, and tourism.
As a member of the Congressional Rural Education Caucus, I firmly believe that we must give our schools and teachers the resources they need to do their job.
I believe that West Virginians deserve access to affordable health care services and I have long fought to help ensure that they have such access, especially in underserved areas of southern West Virginia.
I am proud of my family history and of the immigrants who helped to build West Virginia. My grandfather emigrated from Lebanon and scraped together a living selling linens in West Virginia’s coal camps. He believed in hard work, God, and family, and fell in love with the United States and West Virginia.
I have long been a leader on mining and energy issues, recognizing the need to develop our domestic energy resources, while ensuring protections for our lands, our communities, and our people.
I have been active and vocal in raising awareness about the prescription drug epidemic, working to bring Federal resources to bear on the problem and coordinating with state and local officials to find solutions. In the Congress, I have championed legislation to promote both consumer awareness about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs and also physician training on the safe use and disposal of such drugs.
In this economy, with high gas prices and increasing food and health care costs, I well understand that many seniors, especially those on fixed incomes, are struggling to make ends meet.
As a former small business owner, I recognize the importance of small businesses in strengthening communities and bolstering economic growth and job creation.
West Virginia is blessed with a wealth of natural resources that have provided respite and recreation throughout its history.
Transportation & Infrastructure
As a longstanding member of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and now its top Democratic member, I am working hard to help build and repair our highways and bridges, improve and modernize our airports, and provide critical water and sewer systems and flood control projects throughout West Virginia and our Nation.
As a nation, we have a responsibility to honor and remember our veterans. These men and women have donned uniforms and put themselves in harm’s way for us. They have fought to preserve our freedoms and secure our futures.
For more information concerning my work and views on important Issues, please contact my Washington, DC office.
I look forward to your feedback.
Thank you.