WEIRTON, W.VA. – Weirton Steel Corp. officials today thanked U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., for a $467,000 check the company recently received from the U.S. Treasury.

In 2000, added an amendment to an agricultural bill which took effect in 2002. The "Byrd Amendment," as it has become known, enables tariffs collected on imports that violate federal trade laws to be distributed to U.S. companies instead of being deposited in the U.S. Treasury.

Each year, the U.S. Customs Service collects nearly $2 billion in tariffs. This year, through the Byrd Amendment, more than $300 million is being provided to various U.S. companies.

Companies such as Weirton Steel qualified for the funds because they participated in legal action to prove that other nations’ steel companies violated U.S. antidumping laws. As a result, the government levied tariffs on those imports.

"We welcome the payout. It helps offset the legal costs associated with prosecuting these cases. It is very satisfying to know that the money being received by U.S. companies come from the pockets of those who devastated America’s businesses and industries, especially the steel industry," said John H. Walker, Weirton Steel president and chief executive officer.

"Senator Byrd is looking out for the U.S. business community and the men and women within it. We agree with the senator that those who suffered by unfair trade acts should be compensated for their losses. He has our sincere thanks."

Weirton Steel is the seventh largest U.S. integrated steel company.