April 23rd, 2016 by WCBC Radio
.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Thursday rallied bipartisan support to vote down an amendment to the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2016 (H.R. 2028) that would have defunded a number of federal programs in Western Maryland. Amendment #3803 would have eliminated funding for several regional commissions including Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). ARC is a federal-state partnership that works with residents of Appalachia to create self-sustaining economic development and improve quality of life.
“The Appalachian Regional Commission has a relatively small budget but makes a big difference for many Marylanders in the western part of our state and to millions of people in the region,” said Senator Cardin. “ARC is unique because it combines the resources of the federal government with knowhow from people in the community. It is because of this unique and pragmatic approach to economic development that every federal dollar invested in ARC is matched by $7.60 in private investment. This impressive ratio translates directly to better employment opportunities, education, health care access, infrastructure and much more. I thank other senators, Republicans and Democrats, who came to the floor and voted to allow ARC to continue to carry out their important mission.”
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