Charleston Leader

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), vice chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, delivered remarks on the Senate floor. She highlighted concerns she heard from West Virginians during the August state work period and reviewed some of her travels across the state.

Senator Capito’s floor remarks included reflections on the 9/11 terrorist attacks: “Today marks 23 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on our nation... These horrific events in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania forever changed national security in the United States of America.”

She also discussed various issues raised by constituents during her visits across West Virginia. Common themes included inflation, border crisis, crime rates, workforce shortages, permitting inadequacies, and concerns in agricultural communities.

Capito criticized current economic policies: “West Virginians are spending an average of $889 more a month on food, shelter, and energy prices than they were before the Biden-Harris administration.” She attributed rising costs to "excessive government spending to the tune of trillions of dollars."

Workforce shortages were another significant issue. Capito mentioned difficulties faced by a manufacturer trying to set up an apprenticeship program hindered by bureaucracy under the Biden-Harris administration.

The senator also addressed concerns about national security and foreign policy: “A constituent recently told me... ‘It is now obvious on the world stage... that we have an extremely weak commander-in-chief.’” She cited examples such as military actions in Ukraine and responses to Iran's activities in the Middle East.

Capito concluded with calls for action: “Americans want action. They want us to do our jobs... Americans shouldn’t be forced to choose between paying rent, putting food on the table, or filling up the gas tank.”