Scott Klug: “The Appalachian Regional Commission was set up in 1965 under the premise that if we poured more money from the Federal…”

“The Appalachian Regional Commission was set up in 1965 under the premise that if we poured more money from the Federal Government into this area we would get an economic boom. Now I think there is a flaw in this argument, because clearly 32 years later my opponents are down here making the case they still need more money and more years to turn it around. My colleague and I are here from Wisconsin tonight. Wisconsin actually ranks 50th in Federal spending in the country. The unemployment rate in my home district is less than 2 percent. We have not had Federal money for 30 years so let me make the argument, if I can, that actually with increased Federal funding over the years, they have actually put Appalachia at a disadvantage because it has been dependent on Federal aid rather than standing on its own feet. Let me also say that I understand that there are problems in Appalachia with undeveloped regions, but so are there in California and Florida and Alaska and Hawaii and New Mexico and every other State in the country. But the bottom line is 13 States have been singled out, and I would suggest after 32 years, 32 years is enough.”