Published December 1998 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd 1998: A Year of Accomplishments
Over the past year, I was able to advance a number of initiatives that are important in strengthening the foundation for our state's future. As Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, for example, I added funding for a variety of initiatives -many that I have shepherded to our state -- to help expand West Virginia's economic base and provide good, well-paying jobs for future generations. During 1998, I also achieved a major victory in the authorization of funding for infrastructure -- the roads and bridges -- that are so critical to West Virginia's economy. I added an amendment to the six-year highway authorization bill guaranteeing that all of the federal taxes paid at the gas pump, which had previously been allowed to accumulate unspent, will now be used for the upkeep and expansion of our national highway and transit systems. As a result of my amendment, the 13-state Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Corridor Highway system stands to receive $2.25 billion over the next six years, including $345 million for West Virginia. My amendment not only provides an infusion of funding to the Corridor Highways over the course of the highway bill, but it also serves as an all important foot in the door to help ensure that a consistent and reliable source of funding will be available in years beyond the next six years to complete the Corridor system. On another front, this past summer, I joined in a U.S. Supreme Court case opposing the Line Item Veto Act. Fortunately, the Court ruled, as I have long argued, that the line item veto was unconstitutional. The Framers, in drafting the Constitution, vested in the Congress-- the people's branch -- the power over the purse as an important check on the executive. When the Congress willingly shared that power with the executive branch, it handed away an important check on the executive and weakened our Constitutional system of separation of powers. Thankfully, the Supreme Court in its ruling preserved, for yet a while longer, the separation of powers and the fragile system of checks and balances that the Framers crafted to ensure that the liberties of the American people would be protected. Just as the past year has been one of challenges to our state and our nation, so will the coming year. I look forward to working to meet those challenges as I continue my service to West Virginia. December 23, 1998