Hi there,

I made a new page on my website with information and resources to keep you up-to-date on the coronavirus situation as it continues to evolve. Check out that page here, and please share with friends so they can keep up with the latest.

In addition to my webpage, I also want to make sure you know where to get the latest updates from the medical experts at CDC.gov and West Virginia DHHR.

I will continue doing my best to keep you up to speed on what we are doing here at the federal level to help and other resources that can be useful back at home. I will be posting regular updates on my Facebook and Twitter accounts, so be sure to follow me there.

Taking Action

This week, I voted in favor of The Families First Coronavirus Response Act also known as “Phase Two” of the federal government’s coronavirus response. That bill, which President Trump signed into law, includes:

FREE coronavirus testing.
Paid sick leave.
Family leave for caregivers.
Food assistance for the needy.
Enhanced unemployment insurance.
Increased Medicaid funding for states.

Two weeks ago, President Donald Trump signed “Phase One” an $8.3 billion supplemental aid package to help states treat, prevent, and prepare for the coronavirus. With this additional funding, our country is even more prepared to limit the spread of the coronavirus, test those showing symptoms, and treat those suffering.

What’s Next

Phase Three, also known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act takes bold action on FOUR major priorities that are necessary.

Directs financial help for the American people.
Provides quick relief for small businesses and their employees.
Takes significant steps to stabilize our economy and protect jobs.
Provides more support for the health care professionals and the patients who are fighting this virus.

It is important to remember that the CARES Act is still under consideration by the U.S. Senate and will be debated and settle upon in the coming days. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue. It is critical that we come together to reach an agreement so we can bring the much-needed relief to the American people as soon as possible. Throughout all of these discussions, the priorities of West Virginians remains at the forefront of my mind, and I will continue to act in the best interest of those back home as I always have.

Click HERE to learn more details about the CARES Act and how it can help our families, our health care professionals, our small businesses and their employers, and our economy.

Helping Our Rural Hospitals

Over the past few weeks, I have worked non-stop to make sure West Virginians are prepared and have the resources they need. One of the ways I’m working to do this is by supporting our hospitals and making sure they have what they need to effectively and efficiently handle the situation. I’ve been in constant contact with the White House to discuss solutions like a 1135 Waiver. This waiver would allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ease bureaucratic requirements to Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to allow the state to adapt quickly to meet the public’s needs during this emergency.

Read more about my efforts in this Wheeling Intelligencer story.

Working for West Virginia

First and foremost, my focus is to make sure our West Virginians remain healthy and safe. I’ve been in constant contact with officials at the federal and state level to check in, ask questions, address certain issues, and make sure they are prepared. As chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I’m making a point to ask the agencies I fund if they are prepared and equipped with the necessary resources to combat, treat, and prevent the coronavirus.

Below are more details on my efforts:

Met with a number of officials, including: Vice President Mike Pence, CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services (WVDHHS) Commissioner and State Health Officer Dr. Cathy Slemp, members of the Coronavirus Taskforce, and others on the issue.
Spoke with West Virginia Hospital Association President and CEO Joe Letnaunchyn and West Virginia Health Care Association CEO Marty Wright.
Voted in favor of the emergency supplemental funding package to help states treat, prevent, and prepare for the Coronavirus. A portion of the funding provided for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is specifically tied to the FY2019 Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) grant awards for states and localities. In West Virginia, this means the state will receive at least $5 million in funding.
Attended a senators-only Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee briefing to ask questions directly of leadership from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Spoke with West Virginia Governor Jim Justice about West Virginia’s preparedness and readiness.
Asked various government officials about the role of the aviation industry in containing the spread of the disease.
During two Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee hearings:
Questioned Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske about TSA’s coordinating efforts with health agencies.
Asked Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf about the department’s efforts to monitor and control the coronavirus.
Been in constant contact with members of the Trump administration, including: FEMA, DHS, TSA, and ICE.

Important Information If You’re Visiting DC

Because of coronavirus concerns, all Capitol and White House tours have been suspended indefinitely. Please contact our Washington office to reschedule. Additionally, requests for flags flown over the Capitol may be delayed, and access to the Capitol and House and Senate office buildings is being restricted. Feel free to contact our office at (202) 224-6472 with any questions. We apologize for any inconvenience.

In Case You Missed It

Last week, I announced $60,979,321.56 from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support construction and repair, most notably of schools in Greenbrier, Nicholas, and Kanawha counties in the wake of the 2016 floods. This funding from the FEMA Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation grant program was released after a modification was made to the cost-share agreement between the federal government and the state.

Since 2016, I have been constantly working with DHS and FEMA to make sure that our state continued to receive the proper support that we need to recover fully. Working with President Trump and his administration, we were able to come to an agreement between the state and the federal government, which has allowed West Virginia to receive the maximum amount of additional funding available.

Through my chairmanship of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I have made sure that West Virginia’s recovery remains a priority. Moving forward, this will be a vital component of our ongoing recovery and prevention effort and will provide the necessary resources for our schools to be successful, and for our students to reach their full potential.

More information on the grant can be found HERE.

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