Robert Byrd

On becoming the longest serving member of Congress in history; 20,774 days – 56 years, 320 days

November 18, 2009 -- “I am so deeply grateful to the people of the great State of West Virginia for demonstrating such confidence in me and enabling me to reach this momentous milestone. My only regret is that my beloved wife, companion and confidant, my dear Erma, is not here with me to witness this wonderful day. I know that she is looking down from the heavens smiling at me and saying congratulations my dear Robert -- but don’t let it go to your head.”    » read more »

November 13, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Citing an urgent need to create jobs, infuse the economy and address our crumbling infrastructure, Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., has written to President Barack Obama calling on his Administration to swiftly move forward with a long-term, comprehensive reauthorization of surface transportation and transit programs. The current authorization expired on September 30, 2009, and Congress has passed a temporary extension of the programs until December 18, 2009.    » read more »

October 30, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., today applauded the inauguration of a new carbon capture and sequestration project at the AEP Mountaineer Power Plant in New Haven, West Virginia.

“This path-breaking carbon capture and storage project, championed by American Electric Power and Alstom, signifies that coal is poised to be a clean, competitive 21st Century fuel,” said Byrd.    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., today announced that the Department of Homeland Security has awarded a contract in the amount of more than $2.75 million to BrooAlexa Design Joint Venture, LLC, of Dunbar, West Virginia, to begin the initial planning and development for the construction of new dormitories at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Advanced Training Center in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.    » read more »

October 01, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., today announced that the Defense Department’s Inspector General will investigate the U.S. Army’s response to the 2003 exposure of hundreds of U.S. soldiers to the deadly chemical sodium dichromate in Iraq.    » read more »

October 01, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., today announced the award of a contract in the amount of more than $20.068 million to BBL Carlton, LLC, of Charleston, West Virginia, to construct a new C-130 fuel system/corrosion control hangar and shops for the West Virginia National Guard facilities at Yeager Airbase in Charleston. Byrd had the funding included in the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009, which was signed into law in March.    » read more »

September 15, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., today announced the award of a $9.7 million Department of the Army contract to Alliant Techsystems (ATK) located at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) in Rocket Center. The monies will be used for the continued production of fuses for the M-228 Practice Grenade. The practice grenade simulates the performance of the lethal hand grenade, including weight and fuse function to provide the soldier with realistic training in a safe environment.    » read more »

June 18, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Robert C. Byrd, together with Congressman Nick J. Rahall, today announced that the Department of Energy is awarding $15,033,550 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the weatherization of more than 3,500 homes in West Virginia.

“Help with weatherization is so important for families across West Virginia,” said Rockefeller, a longtime supporter of home weatherization. “These improvements make homes more energy efficient, reduce utility costs, and create jobs along the way – new green jobs that we’ll need for the future. This is an unbeatable combination that strengthens homes, helps families save money, protects our environment, and bolsters our economy.”    » read more »

Funding for rural water and environmental projects

May 28, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Robert C. Byrd announced today that West Virginia will receive $3,605,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding through the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) for safe drinking water projects and improved wastewater treatment systems for West Virginia rural towns and communities.

West Virginia’s $3.6 million will go toward the following projects:

* $1,940,000 for the Clover Public Service District (Roane County)
* $1,665,000 for the City of Glen Dale (Marshall County)    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Senator Robert C. Byrd released the following statement on President Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court:

“While I do not prejudge any nominee, President Obama has selected someone who appears to be an outstanding Supreme Court nominee in Judge Sonia Sotomayor.”

“Her life story is inspiring, and reminiscent of that of the son of a West Virginia coal miner who, through hard work, determination, and love from family, rose to an honorable position in the United States Senate.

"Sonia Sotomayor’s life is an inspiration to all young people everywhere, and I look forward to carefully reviewing her qualifications as we move forward with the confirmation process.”

Source: Senator Robert C. Byrd

Call for comprehensive plan for communities impacted by GM and Chrysler restructuring

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV and Senator Robert Byrd last week called for a comprehensive plan to assist communities, dealers, employees, and consumers affected by GM and Chrysler restructuring, urging the Secretary of the Treasury to keep as many dealerships open as possible.

In a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Senators Byrd and Rockefeller wrote:    » read more »

May 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senators Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) and Representative Nick J. Rahall, II (D-W.Va.) today announced $2,000,000 in funding from the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration for road repairs in southern West Virginia following severe flooding on May 9th, 2009.

"The Obama Administration approved the federal disaster declaration promptly, and I am pleased to see money beginning to move into Southern West Virginia just as quickly to make these necessary infrastructure improvements and help get the area back on its feet as quickly as possible," said Senator Byrd.    » read more »

Senators Say Bush's Presence Would Show Tolerance for Human Rights Violations, Disrespect for Spirit of the Olympics

April 9, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Today, as the Olympic torch relay makes its only stop in the United States, U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Robert Byrd (D-WV) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) are officially calling on President Bush not to attend the Opening Ceremonies in Beijing this summer.

Senator Hillary Clinton: Photo by Marc Nozell (CC)

In their letter to Bush the Senators wrote:    » read more »

Senators Lead Effort on Behalf of Estimated 175,000 Affected Gulf War Vets

11/09/2007 -- Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Robert C. Byrd, D-West Virginia, and Bernie Senders, I-Vermont, applauded the Senate’s passage of a $10,000,000 investment in research to combat Gulf War Illness. Byrd and Sanders led the effort to include the funding in the Fiscal Year 2008 Department of Defense Appropriations legislation, which cleared the Senate on November 9th.    » read more »