Mountain State Times

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured a number of West Virginia priorities in the Appropriations Committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) funding bill. The Senate Appropriations Committee continues to work through the rest of the funding bills, which will hopefully be voted on by the full Senate later this year.

“I am proud we were able to come together in a bipartisan manner and advance a funding bill that grows our economy and improves the quality of life for West Virginians,” said Senator Manchin. “This legislation will block gas stove bans, support small businesses, strengthen public safety and provide critical resources to combat the opioid epidemic through the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am committed to bringing back regular order, doing our job, and passing funding bills on time to deliver these crucial resources to West Virginia.”

West Virginia priorities included in the FY24 FSGG funding bill:

1. Consumer Protection Safety Commission: Prevents the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from making any regulations banning gas stoves.
2. Hydrogen Tax Credit: Directs U.S. Treasury to follow the law and not impose any new limitations on clean hydrogen production tax credits that are attracting major investments to West Virginia.
3. Bureau of Fiscal Service: $386.485 million for the Bureau of Fiscal Service, much of which will support the Bureau’s Parkersburg, WV facility. The bill also emphasizes the economic importance of the Parkersburg facility and the importance of bringing federal workers back to work for the facility and the surrounding community.
4. High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program: $301.6 million for the HIDTA, which will ensure our law enforcement has the resources necessary to reduce the supply of illicit drugs like fentanyl, prevent overdoses, protect communities and save lives across the Mountain State. Additionally, language included directing the Administration to prioritize states with the highest overdose death rates when deciding new HIDTA designations and ensure that technical assistance is provided to entities that did not receive a designation in past award cycles.
5. Judicial Vacancies: The bill reminds the federal judicial system of the importance of filling judicial vacancies in rural communities, including the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
6. Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN): The bill directs FinCEN to better counter the financing of online child sexual exploitation by working with the private sector and other federal agencies.
7. Taxpayer Assistance Centers: Urges the IRS to prioritize the staffing of in-person Taxpayer Assistance Centers, particularly those in rural America