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Dear West Virginian,
I hope you’ll join me in praying for a full and speedy recovery for President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump after they announced they both tested positive for coronavirus.
Please continue to take this virus seriously. We must all do our part to protect each other and ourselves by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and washing our hands.
Judge Amy Coney Barrett
On Saturday, President Trump announced his nominee to fill Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the U.S. Supreme Court: Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
Judge Barrett has had a distinguished career as a law professor, law clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia, and federal appellate judge. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to the rule of law and to carefully considering the text and history of the Constitution.
I met with Judge Barrett one-on-one on Wednesday, and after our socially distanced meeting, I was very impressed. Ultimately, the most important factors in my decision to confirm a Supreme Court nominee are whether the nominee is well-qualified, has a record of applying the original text of our Constitution, and has the support of my fellow West Virginians. While we are still in the beginning of the confirmation process, Judge Barrett meets the criteria. She’s levelheaded, open minded, and firmly believes judges are not policymakers. I couldn’t agree more. I look forward to watching her confirmation hearings in the coming weeks.
Judge Barrett was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit by a bipartisan vote of 55-43 on October 31, 2017. Every Republican senator, along with three Democrats—Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) voted to confirm Judge Barrett.
In case you haven’t had a chance to read up on Judge Barrett, I encourage you to do so here.
Unfortunately, since President Trump first nominated her, Judge Barrett has been subject to vicious attacks on her Catholic faith and family. Judge Barrett is a role model for our daughters and granddaughters. She’s a modern working mom, showing young women you don’t need to choose between having a family and rising to the top of your field. This nomination should inspire the next generation of female leaders.
I spoke more about this in a press conference on Wednesday. Click here or the image below to watch:
Improving Transparency at VAMCs
I know I speak for all West Virginians when I say we were absolutely stunned and horrified at the news of the murder of veterans at the Clarksburg VA Medical Center. In my several conversations with VA Inspector General Michael Missal, he cited the lack of eye witnesses or security footage as a complicating factor in the Clarksburg investigation.
That’s why Senator Joe Manchin and I teamed up to introduce legislation that would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit to Congress a report on the use of security cameras in VA medical centers. The legislation would help better address transparency issues at VAMC’s in light of the deaths of veterans at the Clarksburg VA Medical Center.
More details on this here.
Capito Conservation Bill Heading to President’s Desk
On Friday, the House of Representatives passed America’s Conservation Enhancement Act (ACE Act), legislation I cosponsored in the Senate. The bill includes language from the Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act and the Chesapeake WILD Act, two bipartisan bills I sponsored to support habitat restoration and conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay region.
The Chesapeake Bay remains an important natural resource and its headwaters in West Virginia play a meaningful role in our state’s economy. By reauthorizing existing funding and establishing the first federal species and habitat conservation grants tailored specifically to this region, we’re better able to support vital ecosystems and West Virginia’s large outdoor industry.
More details on this huge conservation win can be found here.
Play Ball!
Earlier in the week, I joined Major League Baseball (MLB) and USA Baseball to announce a new format for the Appalachian League, which will feature the nation’s top rising college freshmen and sophomores. The new format affirms MLB’s commitment to the region, maintains the existing branding of the league, and assures that the Appalachian League will continue to host high-caliber baseball and future Major Leaguers for years to come. Our teams in Princeton and Bluefield are among the teams that will continue to play.
Though we have missed baseball this summer on the diamonds across West Virginia, the announcement is great news for Bluefield and Princeton, and frankly for anyone who enjoys watching our nation’s game in a West Virginia summer.
More details here.
Connecting West Virginia
On Monday, I kicked off my Capito Connect Broadband tour with several visits in Hampshire County. I launched my Capito Connect Plan back in 2015 to help better connect West Virginia homes, businesses, and classrooms. Since launching the initiative, the program has helped increase broadband deployment and accessibility in West Virginia through public-private partnerships and driving more federal funds to the state to support broadband programs.
Six years ago, I visited Hampshire County and the surrounding areas to highlight the need for improved broadband. During my visits on Monday, I saw and learned about several broadband projects the county has underway, which shows the strides communities across our state are taking to better-connect. Both Romney and Capon Bridge are proof of the tremendous progress that can be made when local, state, and federal levels of government all work together.
Click here for photos and more details from the visit.
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 COVID-19 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
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