Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining released its final Stream Protection Rule: “It is disappointing, but certainly not surprising, that the Obama Administration has decided to pursue this last-ditch effort to further harm West Virginia coal jobs. The Stream Protection Rule would cause significant harm to both surface and underground coal mines. Fortunately,... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to help West Virginians recover from the June 2016 flood, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is urging U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro to direct a portion of the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) funding to victims in West Virginia. West Virginia initially received a down payment toward flood relief funding after the Senate passed a short-term government funding bill in... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement regarding Governor Rick Perry’s nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Energy: “President-elect Trump’s nomination of Governor Perry for Energy Secretary is encouraging news. As a leader in energy production, West Virginia plays a critical role in powering the nation with affordable, reliable energy. I look forward to working with Governor Perry to address some of... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) applauded passage of the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN), legislation that will modernize water infrastructure and address flood prevention. The bill passed the Senate on a 78-21 vote early Saturday morning and includes the Water Resources Development Act, which passed the Senate earlier this year. “The WIIN Act invests in critical water infrastructure, including waterways, flood... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is encouraging the new administration to include broadband deployment as a core component of any infrastructure proposals. In the letter, Senator Capito outlines the clear need for expanded broadband access in rural America, including West Virginia, and her desire to work with the new administration on this important issue. Improving broadband accessibility in West Virginia has been... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter sent following only a short-term extension of miners’ health care benefits, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) is calling on President-elect Donald Trump to take up the Miners Protection Act early in his administration. Senator Capito and other coal state Senators introduced the Miners Protection Act as an amendment to the continuing resolution to permanently protect the health care and pension benefits of our nation’s miners, but it was... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tonight voted to protect hard-earned retirement benefits for West Virginia miners by voting for final passage of a government funding bill known as the continuing resolution. The bill also includes critical resources to help West Virginia communities recover from the devastating June floods and fight the opioid epidemic. Earlier this week, the House advanced the continuing resolution with only a four month extension of health... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today voted to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report, which passed the Senate on a 92-7 vote and now heads to the president’s desk. “Ensuring our military has the tools and adequate funding needed to carry out its core mission is one of Congress’ primary responsibilities. In light of the serious threats we face today, it is essential that we invest in our troops who serve on... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s intent to nominate Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt for Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).“Attorney General Pruitt is exactly the type of person we need to lead the EPA during this critical time. He has been a driving force behind the legal battle against President Obama’s environmental... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) voted to pass the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which makes better health possible for nearly every American. The bill passed on a 94-5 vote and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law. “The 21st Century Cures Act provides major funding to prevent and treat opioid addiction, advances lifesaving medical research, makes needed reforms to the Food and Drug Administration, and improves the... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement regarding the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor: “Today, on the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we remember and honor the thousands who were killed that day and in the war that followed. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor and was extremely humbled by the memorial. It was a reminder that out of tragedy emerges strength. As the... Read More

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) issued the following statement regarding the short-term provisions to address miners’ health benefits in the continuing resolution. “I’m disappointed that the full Miners Protection Act to address health and pensions benefits for our miners was not included in the continuing resolution that was released tonight. While the short-term, four-month patch will prevent our miners from losing their health care... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a speech on the Senate floor tonight, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) called for immediate passage of the Miner’s Protection Act, a bill to prevent any lapse in important benefits for retired miners. Prior to the speech, Senator Capito voted against cloture on 21st Century Cures because once it advances there would be no opportunity to amend the Cures bill to address miners’ benefits. Remarks as prepared for delivery: Mister/Madame President,... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) praised the bipartisan deal with the House of Representatives to include authorization for permit programs for the control of coal combustion residuals in the final Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act announced today. The provision makes several improvements to the coal combustion residuals section that was included in the version passed by the Senate on September 15 to... Read More

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – This morning, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) convened West Virginia’s Republican congressional and state elected leaders to discuss their work on behalf of West Virginians over the coming year. Senator Capito issued this statement following the meeting: “I was glad to convene such a productive meeting this morning in Charleston. We discussed the great opportunity that lies ahead for our state with Republican leaders representing more offices in... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined 22 of her Senate colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama requesting his administration stop issuing non-emergency rules and regulations in the final weeks of his term. Senator Capito and her colleagues stressed to the president that the American people made it clear on November 8 that they expect regulatory relief. The letter reads in full: Dear Mr. President:We write to request your administration cease... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today voted in favor of a 10-year extension of the Iran Sanctions Act, which is set to expire on December 31st. The legislation, which passed the House last month by an overwhelming majority, today passed the Senate on a 99-0 vote and now heads to the president’s desk.“Iran continues to be a serious threat to the security of the United States and our allies,” said Senator Capito. “These sanctions are an... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) sent a bipartisan letter to Vice President-elect Mike Pence in his role as chair of the Presidential Transition Team Executive Committee, urging the new administration to ensure there is continuity in the implementation of the... Read More

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) announced new mobile office sessions for the month of December. Members of Senator Capito’s staff have been traveling the state meeting with constituents and will continue to do so through the end of the year. Each mobile office session is an opportunity for West Virginians to receive one-on-one assistance with casework or issues related to federal agencies. Appointments are not required but are encouraged and can... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Elaine Chao to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation:“Elaine Chao is an excellent choice for transportation secretary. She is a trail blazer with a proven record of leadership. I enjoyed hosting Elaine in West Virginia during the Bush Administration and hope she will visit again in her role as transportation secretary to... Read More