Friends,

This week was a busy one, filled with a lot of wins for West Virginia. Before you scroll down to catch up on the latest, click here or the image below to watch the third round of my “Straight from Shelley” video series. If you’d like a question answered in a future video, comment on my social media channels, call in or write to my office, or email me through my website.

Honoring Our Veterans

This coming Monday marks Veterans Day—a day to reflect on the sacrifices made by all who have served. It’s also a day to pay tribute to their dedication to defending this country. Thousands of veterans have made their home in West Virginia, and our military history is such a source of pride for our state. On this Veterans Day, my hope is that our country takes a moment to remember the daily sacrifices of our veterans and their families. It is our duty to live up to those sacrifices. From the way we talk to each other to the way we disagree with each other, we are obligated, in their honor, to strive to be Americans worth fighting for. Click here or the image below to watch a floor speech I gave this week on the Senate floor in honor of Veterans Day.

Keeping the Promise

Earlier this week, I announced legislation that I introduced with a bipartisan group of senators—including Senate Majority Leader McConnell—to secure our nation’s retired miners pensions by shoring up the 1974 Pension Plan.

For the thousands of West Virginia miners depending on these pensions and health care plans, this bipartisan fix is the answer. This is a permanent remedy for the pension and health care dilemma miners across Appalachia have unfairly had to face. I’ve been working in the Senate with Leader McConnell and Senator Manchin on this issue for years, and I was so glad to see us come to this solution this week. Our miners worked for these pensions, and I’m proud to be able to deliver what they’ve earned. Click here to learn more.

Securing Critical Resources

Modern surface transportation infrastructure is essential to our state’s economy and the safety of our communities. As chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee, I have worked with the West Virginia Division of Highways to prioritize projects important to our state. I was proud to announce critical funding that I fought to secure for one of these projects that will widen over three miles of Interstate 64, including the Nitro-St. Albans bridge. Commuters along I-64 know how congested this bridge section is every morning and evening, and that’s one of the reasons I wrote to Secretary Chao in July to highlight the importance of this project, and advocate for funding. Click here to learn more about the project and to read my letter to Secretary Chao.

In Case You Missed It

Click through the links below to learn more about other highlights and Senate efforts from the week:

• Announced grant to address infectious disease consequences of the opioid crisis.
• Questioned experts in a Senate EPW Committee hearing.
• Wrote a letter to VA Secretary Wilkie following ‘alarming’ reports of sexual misconduct at the VA.
• Announced funding through the CDBG program for West Virginia.
• Introduced the Broadband Parity Act.
• Announced USDA funding for rural development.
• Wrote a letter to President Trump urging him to designate a state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient.

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

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Sincerely,

Shelley Moore Capito
United States Senator