Hi there,

Let me be honest. This week was tough. West Virginians are understandably anxious. There’s a lot going on.

But, West Virginians are strong, we are resilient, and we will get through this. Social distancing has made a difference in our state. Individual relief checks are scheduled to go out starting next week. Already, hundreds of West Virginia small businesses have applied to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). And, additional funding through the CARES Act is being distributed to hospitals as we speak. We are making progress.

Thank you for your resilience during this time. Thank you for checking on your elderly neighbors. Thank you for helping sew masks. Thank you for not hoarding at grocery stores. Thank you for staying home. Thank you for spreading love and showing the country our West Virginia spirit.

Protecting Our Small Businesses

Last Friday was the first day small businesses could apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This program, which was created through the CARES Act, is all about saving small business jobs in West Virginia and across the country. So far, hundreds of thousands of small businesses across the country have applied for these loans. This is great news. Treasury is working around the clock to make sure community banks have all the guidance they need. Learn more about PPP here.



I’m so excited about the interest small businesses in West Virginia have shown. But, with the popularity of the program throughout the country, the $350 billion allocated under the CARES Act will soon run out. This is why I was in support of congressional action to prevent the PPP from hitting its funding limit. By taking this action and providing additional funding, we can allow the program to save even more small business jobs.

Earlier this week, Senate Republicans asked for unanimous consent to provide those urgently needed funds. I’m disappointed Senate Democrats blocked additional funding for this program, especially because this was a standalone funding request. In other words, we were not asking for policy changes to be made. Just more money for a program that is working to save jobs and our small businesses. I talked to Hoppy Kercheval about this additional funding in detail on Friday:



If you haven’t applied yet, PLEASE go talk to your lender today because these funds are divvied out on a first-come-first serve basis.

If your community bank or lender isn’t participating in PPP, call my office at 304-347-5372. We’ll help you find a lender. 

Make Sure You Get Your Individual Check!

The IRS has now opened an online portal for lower-income individuals who are not required to file a tax return, have not filed tax returns for 2018 or 2019, and are not on Social Security retirement or Social Security disability (SSDI) to provide information in order to receive a stimulus check. Enter your information to get your check here.

REMINDER: Those who have filed a return for 2018 or 2019 or are on Social Security retirement or SSDI do not need to do anything to receive their check.

Economic Town Hall

In case you missed it, this week I joined WSAZ News 3 for an economic town hall where I answered questions related to the CARES Act and how this legislation can provide relief to West Virginians like you. Watch it here or by clicking the image below:


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’ve made it 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:

• Led the West Virginia delegation in sending a letter to President Trump in support of Governor Justice’s request for a major disaster declaration for the state of West Virginia as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. President Trump approved West Virginia’s major disaster declaration on April 3, 2020.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Communicated with West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) Secretary Bill Crouch about the state’s testing issues.
  
  
• 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 first 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.
  
  
• Voted in favor of a second emergency supplemental funding package to provide economic relief to individuals, small businesses, and families during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
  
  
• Voted in favor of the third emergency supplemental funding package to provide immediate relief to West Virginians and others across the country that desperately need it.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Participated in regular conference calls with West Virginia small business owners, employers, health professionals, community leaders, hospitals, and others impacted by the virus to provide them with resources and information.
  
  

Additional Resources

I created a 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. 

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

Funding through the CARES Act has been released quickly, and I’ve been announcing these awards so West Virginians are aware. Today, I announced a funding opportunity for college students impacted by coronavirus. On top of waiving student loan payments for six months, the U.S. Department of Education announced the potential for $66,559,082 for Higher Education Institutions West Virginia. Specifically, the funding, which was made possible following President Trump’s signing of the CARES Act, can provide direct emergency cash grants to college students who have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic though the discretion of their university or college. This funding will help provide financial relief to students for expenses related to course materials, food, housing, healthcare, and childcare.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3a0SE7r


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

With the Easter holiday around the corner, I want to remind you that we will get through this. We may be distant from each other, but we are never distant from His love and mercy.

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

Sincerely,

Shelley Moore Capito

United States Senator