Dear West Virginian,

This week, the Senate began considering the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bipartisan legislation provides for our national defense, implements the National Defense Strategy, cares for our troops and their families, and more.

Below are a few bill highlights:

Advances America’s national defense strategy prioritizing strategic competition with China and Russia.
Provides for our troops and their families including giving our all-volunteer force a 3 percent pay raise.
Regains our military advantage by investing in innovative technology, equipment, and weaponry.

I spoke more about this on the Senate floor earlier this week and explained why this is a must-pass bill. Click here or the image below to watch:

Ensuring Our Veterans Receive Quality Care

On Tuesday night, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill I co-sponsored that helps ensure proper care and treatment of our veterans. The Ensuring Quality Care for Our Veterans Act makes sure the VA hires qualified individuals who have been thoroughly vetted. I’m thrilled this legislation is heading to President Trump’s desk for his signature.

To read the bill text, click here.

More Help for Small Businesses

This week, I joined my colleague Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to introduce the Loan Interest Forgiveness for Taxpayers Under a Pandemic (LIFT UP) Act, legislation that would expand the eligibility for debt forgiveness provided in the CARES Act to small businesses that received Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans.

The LIFT UP Act would extend the six months of debt forgiveness provided in Section 1112 of the CARES Act to small businesses that received SBA Business Physical Disaster Loans or non-COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loans. I have continued to make sure that the SBA has the available resources needed to combat the economic impact of the coronavirus.

There is no question that small businesses in West Virginia and across America have taken a hit during this pandemic. However, many businesses were already in the process of recovering from other setbacks prior to COVID-19, which has only added to their burdens. The LIFT UP Act would provide necessary relief for businesses that received SBA disaster loans dating back to January 2015, which is especially helpful for businesses like those in West Virginia that received loans—and are still in the process of repaying—related to the 2016 floods. I am confident that with legislation like the LIFT UP Act, we can continue to provide our businesses with the tools needed to overcome these challenges and get through this difficult time.

Improving Our Infrastructure

Improving West Virginia’s infrastructure has always been a top priority of mine. As chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee, I’ve played an integral role in writing the highway bill and making sure the needs of West Virginia and greater Appalachia are met. This week, I participated in an EPW Committee hearing where we discussed this and the importance of passing the highway bill—America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act—especially now given the challenges of COVID-19.

Click here or the image below to watch some of my questions during the hearing:

Helping Our State and Local Governments

Throughout this pandemic, I’ve heard directly from our local leaders about the challenges they are facing and how Congress can help alleviate these burdens. One of these challenges is the lost revenue that state, counties, and cities are experiencing because of this emergency, which has caused a strain on their budgets. On Wednesday, I joined with my colleagues to introduce the LOCAL Infrastructure Act, which will serve as another tool to provide these local governments the flexibility needed to generate savings. I’m proud to support this legislation and will continue working to deliver commonsense solutions like these to support our local governments during this difficult time.

Click here to learn more.

Be Vigilant for Scammers!

Unfortunately, there are bad actors that are using this health crisis to take advantage of unsuspecting residents, especially our senior citizens. Please note the IRS WILL NOT call you and ask for your bank account information to deposit your individual relief check.

Check out my coronavirus webpage for more information about scams and what I’m doing to try and mitigate them.

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.

Counting on West Virginia

Have you taken your 2020 census yet? PLEASE DO!

Taking the census takes 10 minutes and could mean thousands of more federal dollars for West Virginia!

Do you part and take it here: https://my2020census.gov/

Over the past couple of months, I’ve been discussing the importance of taking the census, and I encourage you to do the same so you can spread the word to fellow West Virginians. Click here to read a column I wrote about this.

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