Hi there,

On Thursday, the Senate approved an emergency supplemental funding package to help states treat, prevent, and prepare for the coronavirus. Our country is now even more prepared to limit the spread of the coronavirus, test those showing symptoms, and treat those suffering. The federal government has organized a comprehensive, expansive response to this public health emergency, and the funding my colleagues and I approved this week will help states continue efforts to keep their communities safe.

Earlier this week, Vice President Mike Pence and top medical professionals briefed the Senate on our response. Here’s a quick video on that meeting:


To be clear, the best thing for you to do now is:

1. Continue to wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Sneeze/cough into your elbow.
3. Stay home if you feel sick.

Get more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) here and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources here.

Examining the President’s Budget

This week on Capitol Hill, several members of President Trump’s administration appeared before the Appropriations Committee explaining their FY2021 budget request, and outlining their top priorities.

As chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriation Subcommittee, I presided over the hearing to consider the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) budget request. TSA Administrator David Pekoske provided testimony. I specifically asked Administrator Pekoske about TSA’s role in combatting the coronavirus and how TSA is coordinating with the appropriate health agencies.



Additionally, with the REAL ID deadline approaching in October, I asked Administrator Pekoske about making sure the public is aware of the requirement. Currently only one-third of all licenses in use are REAL ID compliant.




Click on the links below to hear my questions for other officials:

• I questioned Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao about the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), funding for bridge infrastructure, and the upcoming transportation infrastructure bill that I co-authored.
  
  
• I asked Interior Secretary David Bernhardt about the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center—a project I’ve advocated for since 2015.
  
  
• I asked Education Secretary Betsy DeVos about career and technical training and expanding Pell grant programs.
  
  
• I questioned Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross about aluminum markets, the EDA, broadband mapping, and more.
  
  

Honoring Jessie Grubb

This week, I reintroduced the Protecting Jessica Grubb’s Legacy Act to change existing privacy regulations, known as 42 CFR Part 2, surrounding medical records for those suffering with substance use disorder. The goal of the legislation is to save lives by ensuring that medical providers do not accidentally give opioids to individuals in recovery like in the case of West Virginian Jessie Grubb.

After battling substance use disorder for seven years, Jessie Grubb was sober and focusing on making a life for herself in Michigan. She was training to run in a marathon and had to undergo surgery for a running related injury. However, after Jessie’s surgery, the discharging doctor, who said he didn’t know she was recovering from substance use disorder, sent her home with a prescription for 50 oxycodone pills. [Photo credit: Grubb Family]

Learn more about the bill with this article: https://bit.ly/2v0IG7G

In Case You Missed It

• Announced funding for parks and playgrounds in West Virginia.
• Announced more than $1 million for maternal and child health services.
• Sent letter to EPA urging regulatory relief for small refineries.
• Introduced bill to protect border security officers from fentanyl exposure.

Calling All Students!

Please let any student you know that applications for my summer internship program—in Washington, D.C. and Charleston—are now open!

• Session I: May 18 – June 26
• Session II: June 29 – August 7

All applications are due March 27. Apply here: https://bit.ly/39T2byE


How Can We Help?

Whether you need help with a casework issue or have a question about scheduling a meeting at one of my offices, my staff and I are ready to assist you. Learn more about the services we offer at www.capito.senate.gov.

You can also submit your feedback and share your stories with me by visiting my “Share Your Stories” webpage here: www.capito.senate.gov/ShareYourStories.


Social Media Recap

Join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for regular updates and photos.

Sincerely,

Shelley Moore Capito

United States Senator