FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers is pressing to keep funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission, the federal agency that has led a four-decade fight to improve infrastructure in the impoverished mountain region.
Rogers' latest battle was against a proposed amendment that would have cut ARC funding from an energy and water appropriations bill. The amendment failed earlier this week in the House by a vote of 141-276.
Rogers, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said Appalachia has experienced an economic lag, even during years of economic expansion. He said the ARC targets federal funds to projects intended to close the economic gap between Appalachia and the rest of the nation.
In the past five years, Rogers said ARC investments have resulted in the creation or retention of nearly 140,000 jobs.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (source: halrogers.house.gov)
