Friends,

It’s been another busy week on Capitol Hill, and I have a lot to share. I’m answering a few more constituent questions in my weekly video this week, so click here or the image below to watch. And, submit questions by commenting on social media, calling my office, writing to my office, or emailing me through my website.

Keep scrolling for more updates from this week, and don’t forget to share this newsletter with your friends and family!

Combatting the Drug Crisis

Last week, we celebrated the one-year anniversary of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act becoming law, and highlighted the many ways West Virginia has been working to combat the opioid epidemic. This week, I continued discussing this important topic in a Senate Floor speech, and in an op-ed for the Huntington Herald-Dispatch. Because West Virginia is one of the states hit hardest by the crisis and has had to deal with its devastating effects longer than most, we have a unique perspective when it comes to both the challenges and solutions. While there is no silver bullet when it comes to the opioid epidemic, I know efforts like the SUPPORT Act and continuing to work together at the federal, state, and local levels will help make a meaningful difference. Going forward, I will continue fighting to deliver similar solutions for West Virginians and all those affected. Click here or the image below to watch my full floor speech, and click here to read my op-ed.

Securing Funding for West Virginia

This week, the Senate considered and passed the first Appropriations package, which funds 1/3 of the discretionary budget. Our most basic duty is to fund the government, and we are doing what the American people expect us to do by passing these funding bills. I am proud to say that this legislation supports many of the priorities I have adopted from my first day in the Senate. In these bills, we provide resources to improve broadband access, expand scientific research, invest in our infrastructure, protect our environment responsibly and support law enforcement in their efforts to keep us all safe, most notably in the constant fight against opioids. Click here to read the full list of West Virginia priorities funded in these bills.

After passing the first package of Appropriations bills that I mentioned above, I voted in favor of a procedural measure to move forward with consideration of a second Appropriations package, which unfortunately failed because of Democratic opposition. I was disappointed that my Democrat colleagues again voted to block this package, especially because it provided much-needed support for our troops and our national defense. It is frustrating to me that this measure did not advance because, in addition to the critical national needs these bills address, several West Virginia priorities are included that I fought for and authored as a member of the Appropriations Committee. Click here for the full list of West Virginia priorities this package would have funded.

Funding Updates

Making sure our communities have the resources they need is important to improving the lives of West Virginians and building a brighter future for our state. Whether it’s providing funding for transportation infrastructure or delivering resources to support education programs, my position on the Senate Appropriations Committee has empowered me to secure funds for important West Virginia priorities. This week, I was proud to announce funding that will help communities and programs across the state. Learn more about each one below:

• $9,500,000 for upgrades at Constellium’s Jackson County facility.
• $3,191,183 reimbursement for Yeager Airport’s 2015 slop repair.
• $750,000 to prevent youth substance use disorder.

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.

Calling All Students!

My internship applications for spring 2020 are officially open! If you want a hands-on experience in public service, check it out! Applications are due December 6. More details on my website here: https://bit.ly/1Tpe563

Social Media Recap

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

Sincerely,

Shelley Moore Capito
United States Senator