Hi there,

The impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump began this past Tuesday. After three days of the House managers presenting their case, the President’s legal team will finally get the chance to defend him today. Cell phones and other electronics are strictly prohibited on the Senate floor during this time. I’ll do my best to keep you updated on social media during breaks in the trial as to what’s happening and what’s coming next.

Follow me on social media for the latest updates every day:

Facebook: @senshelley

Twitter: @SenCapito

Instagram: @sencapito

#CapitoConnect Update

On Monday, I announced an $18.7 million broadband investment in Harrison County through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s ReConnect program. This grant will support a high-speed broadband infrastructure project that will create or improve rural broadband for more than 6,300 rural households and approximately 383 farms in Harrison, Doddridge, Lewis, Barbour, and Upshur counties, providing over 400 miles of fiber-to-the-premises networks.

I created the ReConnect program within the appropriations process because I saw the need to close the digital divide in rural America. I’ve continued to support ReConnect enthusiastically because USDA uniquely understands the difficulties associated with implementing broadband in rural areas and is better equipped to tackle those issues head-on.

Learn more in this Exponent Telegram story.

Addressing Unfair Trade Practices

Despite the Washington news media primarily focusing on impeachment, we achieved a huge victory last week for American workers. Last Wednesday, I went to the White House where I stood alongside President Trump as he signed the Phase One trade deal between the United States and China. China has been ripping us off for years, and this new deal works to address those unfair trade practices.

Click here or on the image below for a quick recap of the deal:

For months, I’ve been working behind the scenes closely with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to make sure West Virginia priorities were taken care of in the Phase One deal. I’m incredibly pleased to say both metallurgical coal and hardwood exports were included in the deal. This means burdensome tariffs on met coal and hardwood exports will be lifted, and this is a huge win for our state.

Learn more in my interview with Stuart Varney on FOX Business:

Putting American Workers First

Another huge trade victory that didn’t get the coverage it deserved? The passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement. West Virginia had $1.5 billion worth of exports to Canada and Mexico in 2018, and this much-needed revision ensures West Virginia manufacturers and transporters are treated fairly, and robust economic growth continues in North America.

[Credit: Office of the United States Trade Representative]

President Trump and the leaders of Canada and Mexico signed the USMCA on November 30, 2018, and it was passed overwhelmingly by the U.S. House of Representatives in December 2019.

I am a member of three of the six committees that USMCA went through in the Senate before coming to the Senate floor for a final vote. Those committees include the Appropriations Committee, the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

Calling All Students!

Please let any student you know that applications for my summer internship programin Washington, D.C. and Charlestonare now open!

Session I: May 18 June 26
Session II: June 29 August 7

All applications are due March 27. Apply here: https://bit.ly/39T2byE

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