Rockefller, Goodwin Commend Passage Of Supplemental Appropriations Bill For Funding Nation's Military Operations And Mine Safety Activities

Statement

Senators Jay Rockefeller and Carte Goodwin (D-W.Va.) issued the following statements commending the passage of H.R. 4899 -- the Supplemental Appropriations Act. The bill includes provisions to meet the needs of our troops and fund military operations and security initiatives in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The bill also includes funding to increase mine safety work.

"Not only does this bill provide funding for our brave American soldiers who protect our liberties every day -- but it also provides necessary funding for our federal mine safety professionals to more quickly and efficiently review and develop safety and enforce current laws," said Rockefeller. "West Virginia has a strong history of men and women serving both in our military and in our coal mines -- and I'm pleased to see this needed funding released."

"First and foremost, it was critical to secure this additional funding to support our men and women in uniform," said Senator Goodwin. "I am also pleased that this bill provides the necessary resources to make sure that every effort is made to handle contested citations and reduce the backlog of cases involving mine safety. If we are serious about keeping our mines safe and strengthening enforcement, then we must eliminate the backlog of cases at Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. West Virginians know how important mine safety is and I will continue to work with the federal agencies to identify any potential areas of improvement and address them in a timely manner."

The Supplemental Appropriations bill includes:

* $32.79 billion for the Department of Defense to fund overseas contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and for emergency relief activities related to the earthquake in Haiti. The bill:

o Fully funds the addition of 30,000 military personnel in Afghanistan;

o Includes $924.5 million to acquire and sustain high priority intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) initiatives;

o Fully funds additional Army counter-Improvised Explosive Device jamming devices and upgrades;

o Directs the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, along with other relevant federal agencies, to undertake cybersecurity pilot programs, provides $10 million in funding for the pilot programs, and requires an execution plan to be submitted to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees no later than 90 days after the bill's enactment.

* $22 million for the Department of Labor and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission to reduce the appeals backlog, enforce mine safety laws, investigate the Upper Big Branch disaster, and upgrade emergency response equipment.

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