Fighting to Lower Gas Prices Now 

“For years Congress has blocked efforts to expand our nation’s domestic production of energy off-shore and in Alaska, and now we’re paying the price at the pump.  We can no longer afford to let these resources sit idle.”

      – Shelley Moore Capito 

West Virginians are hurting because of skyrocketing gas prices.  As a nation, we must achieve energy independence at home.  We need less talk and real action by Congress to lower gas prices.  Unfortunately some politicians stand in opposition to these efforts and want to continue the failed policies that have resulted in higher prices at the pump.  By drilling in Alaska and off the U.S. coast – a source of more than 1.1 trillion barrels of oil currently off limits to domestic production – Congresswoman Capito is an advocate for increased production of domestic energy.  She also supports investing in renewable energy sources like wind and solar.   
 

Investing in West Virginia Energy First 

“We can not have a real energy plan in this country that does not include coal as a vital part of our nation’s solution to reducing our dependence on foreign oil and meeting our energy needs.”

      – Shelley Moore Capito 

There is not a Republican or Democratic solution to reducing our long term reliance on foreign oil – there is a West Virginia solution.  West Virginia coal converted to liquid fuel will help every American struggling with high gas prices and revitalize our state’s economy.  At a cost of $35 to $40 per barrel, coal can be converted to clean, zero-sulfur, synthetic oil and oil products.  Estimates indicate that a coal-to-liquids plant with an output of 10,000 barrels per day can support 200 direct jobs, 150 jobs at the supporting coalmine and 2,800 indirect jobs throughout the region.  Plant construction would also generate an additional 1,500 temporary jobs.  This will help jump start West Virginia’s struggling economy.   

Congresswoman Capito has introduced the Clean Coal-Derived Fuels for Energy Security Act that mandates the United States to produce 6 billion gallons of fuel from coal annually by the year 2022.  Coal-to-liquid technology is there, but it continues to be under-invested.  It is time for Congress to get serious about investing in the technology as part of our national energy strategy. 
 

Easing the Pressure on Family Budgets

Shelley knows that West Virginia families are struggling in these difficult economic times.  That is why she opposes any efforts to repeal the tax cuts that would result in higher taxes for every West Virginia taxpayer.  If these tax cuts are repealed, it will raise taxes on 587,000 West Virginia taxpayers in 2012 by an average of $2,248 per year, eliminate marriage penalty relief, increase the 10% tax bracket to 15%, and reduce the child tax credit by 50%.   
 

Protecting West Virginia Workers

Shelley has stood up against her party to oppose trade agreements like CAFTA that hurt West Virginia workers.  Shelley supports extending unemployment compensation for workers who loose their jobs for up to an additional 13 weeks, and she voted to raise the federal minimum wage to its current rate of $6.55.  Congresswoman Capito helped pass the Miner Act to improve mine safety and protect our miners.  The act requires every underground coal mine to have its own emergency response plan, two way communication devices, and a service plan for emergency breathing devices. 
 

Increasing Access to Quality Health Care

Traveling to all 18 counties helping people with their problems has taught Shelley that there is no higher priority than making health care more affordable for every single West Virginian.  That is why she co-authored the Medicare Prescription Drug plan that has resulted in an overwhelming majority of seniors in West Virginia obtaining prescription drug coverage.  She also voted to increase coverage for children by voting for the S-CHIP program.  This act expanded coverage for children and prevented cuts in the physician reimbursement under Medicare for seniors.  As Chair of the Long-Term Care Congressional Caucus, Shelley joined a group of bi-partisan legislators in opposing the Bush Administration’s proposed $770 million cut in skilled nursing home care under Medicare. 
 

Halting Illegal Immigration

Congresswoman Capito understands that illegal immigrants place a strain on West Virginia public institutions like schools and hospitals.  This is why she is firmly against amnesty for illegal immigrants and has worked to pass “enforcement first” legislation that ends “catch and release” policies.  She also co-sponsored legislation that makes English our official language. 
 

Standing Up for Our Active Military and Veterans at Home and Abroad

Our military service personnel and our nation’s veterans have sacrificed for our freedom and placed our country first.  Congresswoman Capito is committed to providing our military the equipment and protection they need, a strong voice for improvements in veterans healthcare, an advocate for access to home ownership, and a supporter of expanding education benefits for our military men and women.  Shelley voted for a NEW GI Bill to enhance educational opportunities voted for a NEW GI Bill to enhance educational opportunities, provided more capital for veterans to buy a home, created a pilot program to improve service for veterans with traumatic brain injuries, and worked to increase funding for rural veterans health care by $5 million.  She also secured funding to ensure that all eligible veterans receive military funeral honors.  During her service in Congress, funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs has increased by 83%