Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement regarding the sentencing of former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship: “Coal mining is a proud West Virginia tradition, but it is not without risks. The safety of our coal miners must always be paramount. I respect Judge Berger’s decision and agree that those who break mine safety laws should be punished to the full extent of the law. While the conclusion of this trial will not... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Angus King (I-Maine) called on Education Secretary John King to close the homework gap and expand home and community internet access by implementing changes they ushered into law last year through major education reform legislation. “Whether completing a homework assignment, participating in innovative learning models, communicating with a teacher outside of the school day, or applying to college or a job,... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on the six year anniversary of the Upper Big Branch mine explosion: “It’s hard to believe that six years ago today 29 miners lost their lives in an explosion at the Upper Big Branch coal mine. For many West Virginians, especially those who lost loved ones and friends, the memories from that terrible day are still so fresh in our minds. My heart still aches for the families of the... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and 42 other Senate Republicans today filed an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court in support of a challenge by a majority of the nation’s governors and attorneys general of the states, led by the State of Texas, to the Obama Administration’s November 2014 executive actions on immigration. The Supreme Court took up this case (United States of America vs. State of Texas) after the U.S. Court of Appeals... Read More

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) announced the upcoming schedule for mobile office hours in the Eastern Panhandle area. Members of Senator Capito’s staff will be available to meet with constituents and assist with casework or other issues they may be experiencing with federal agencies. Upcoming Mobile Office Hours: Tuesday, April 511:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.Moorefield Senior Center409 Spring Ave.Moorefield, WV 26836 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.Hardy County... Read More

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today commented on actions announced by the Obama Administration to address the opioid and heroin epidemic in America: “Drug abuse and addiction is wreaking havoc on our communities and demands action. Many of the steps announced by the Obama Administration today, like training for medical students who will be writing opioid prescriptions and new funding for states to purchase Naloxone, are welcome in West Virginia where... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced that MountainHeart Community Services, Inc. in Matheny will receive $1,381,731 for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF), will allow MountainHeart Community Services, Inc. to continue providing critical health, nutrition, education and social... Read More

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today issued the following statement in observance of Good Friday and Easter:“Easter is a time to cherish our faith, family and the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. I invite West Virginians to join me in praying for the safety of those serving in harm’s way, including our men and women in uniform who are overseas and away from family. Their selflessness reminds us of the spirit of the season, and the ultimate... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an op-ed today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) urge Congress and the medical community to support their bipartisan legislation requiring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address the problem of opioid over-prescription for acute pain. “Why are so many people with no history of drug use becoming addicted to opioids? One of the most culpable root causes — one that we can quickly fix, if Congress... Read More

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) held an event in Bluefield today focused on the opioid epidemic and her efforts to create a drug-free West Virginia. As part of the event, Senator Capito participated in a Naloxone training with the Bluefield Rescue Squad. Senator Capito recently introduced the bipartisan Co-prescribing Saves Lives Act, which encourages physicians to co-prescribe this life-saving drug alongside opioid prescriptions.“We must... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced that Community Care of West Virginia in Clay, WV and Community Health Systems, Inc. in Beckley, WV will receive grants of $3,472,945 and $2,942,742, respectively. The funding provided will assure that both centers can continue providing high-quality services to vulnerable populations. “Healthy communities are important to the overall wellbeing of our state. West Virginia’s... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today applauded West Virginia University for offering special entrepreneurship courses for Veterans. The online summer course is designed specifically for Veterans interested in entrepreneurship and takes into account the unique challenges they face when reentering civilian life and completing higher education. “Our veterans have sacrificed so much to defend our country, and just like the rest... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced the CTE Excellence and Equity Act to support re-designing the high school experience by making courses more relevant to students’ future careers. The bill would provide federal funding for partnerships between school districts, employers and institutions of higher education in states that integrate high-quality career and technical education... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee passed a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to help address the prescription opioid and heroin abuse epidemic in America. The Co-prescribing Saves Lives Act encourages physicians to co-prescribe the life-saving drug Naloxone alongside opioid prescriptions and make naloxone more widely available in federal health settings. The bill can now... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced a $1,331,985 Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention Grant for the West Virginia State Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) to prevent prescription drug overdoses in West Virginia. The aim of the program is to support states as they enact and evaluate prevention strategies to end prescription drug abuse and overdoses. “With the number of overdose deaths skyrocketing in... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U. S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) issued the following statement regarding the naming of a Supreme Court nominee today: “Before a Supreme Court justice is confirmed to a lifetime position on the bench, West Virginians and the American people should have the ability to weigh in at the ballot box this November. My position does not change with the naming of a nominee today. “Anyone confirmed to the Supreme Court will play a key role in decisions... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) welcomed today’s release of new recommendations for prescribing opioid medications for chronic pain from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain will help primary care providers ensure the safest and most effective treatment for their patients. In November 2015, Senator Capito joined with a bipartisan group of Senators on a letter to CDC Director... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today cosponsored the Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016. This legislation makes the Veterans Choice Program permanent, which was created in 2014 to allow veterans to get needed health care outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system. It will also make needed changes and reforms to address continued bureaucratic delays and confusion that veterans have experienced in attempting to get health care. Senator... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today announced that five community health centers across West Virginia will receive more than $1.7 million to improve and expand substance abuse services. This U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding will help health centers better address the substance abuse treatment needs in their communities, with a focus on treating opioid use disorders. The five community health centers receiving... Read More

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) met with Arka Gupta of Charleston and Adrien Inman of Martinsburg this week during their visit to Washington as part of the United States Senate Youth Program’s (USSYP) 54th annual Washington Week. Gupta and Inman were recently selected as West Virginia’s USSYP student delegates for 2016. “Arka and Adrien are excellent representatives of West Virginia’s bright and... Read More