Letter from Shelley
Friends and Colleagues,
The House has now adjourned for the August district work period, but not before we passed important legislation to help protect our nation from terrorists plotting against us.
Closing the Terrorist Loophole
On Saturday, the House approved legislation that modernizes the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), updating the nearly 30 year-old law in order to help our intelligence agencies better monitor terrorists' communications overseas. The legislation passed by the House is very similar to legislation Rep. Capito cosponsored last week in order to fix FISA and give our intelligence community the tools they need to protect our country.
No to "No New Energy" Plan
With families across West Virginia still struggling with high gas prices, the House missed an opportunity on Saturday by passing energy legislation that does absolutely nothing to create energy.
I voted against this "no energy" energy bill because it does nothing to increase domestic energy supplies in order to lower prices for consumers. In addition, the legislation also does nothing to promote the use of coal to liquid fuels, which would allow West Virginia coal to be used to decrease our country's reliance on foreign energy supplies.
I support a more balanced energy approach that invests in renewable energy for the future while also utilizing America's vast energy reserves - coal, natural gas, and petroleum - to make us less reliant on foreign countries to provide our energy.
Taking Care of Our Veterans
I recently introduced legislation to help improve the health care for veterans living in rural areas who suffer from severe brain injuries.
My legislation, H.R. 3458, establishes a pilot program to train case managers who will help coordinate and provide care for veterans in rural areas who have been diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury.
Our veterans deserve the very best in health care, and I do not believe that care should be diminished in any way simply because a veteran has decided to live in a rural area.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
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Capito Says Energy Plan Flawed
Congresswoman says legislation fails to address cause of high gas prices, turns back on West Virginia coal
WASHINGTON, August 4, 2007 – Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito spoke on Saturday in opposition to energy legislation that was before the House. Capito opposed the legislation because it does nothing to increase domestic energy supplies in order to lower gas and utility bills, and does nothing to promote coal to liquid fuels. Congresswoman Capito believes coal to liquid fuels would allow West Virginia coal to play a larger role in making America energy independent. Click here to watch Capito's speech.
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IMMIGRATION UPDATE: More Coverage on Capito's Efforts to Curb Illegal Immigration
In July, the House approved a motion offered by Rep. Capito that will help crack down on taxpayer-funded housing assistance for illegal immigrants.
WBOY-TV recently caught up with Rep. Capito to discuss this legislation. Click here to read the story and watch the video.
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IN THE NEWS: Capito Secures $400,000 to Assist Berkeley County Flood Prevention Efforts
Martinsburg Journal
July 31, 2007
MARTINSBURG — Nearly half a million dollars has been added to a pool of money dedicated to helping Berkeley County officials find a solution to storm water management woes.
Through the Central West Virginia Environmental Infrastructure Program, U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., was able to secure $400,000 for the county’s storm water management project, which aims to prevent the flooding that has plagued Inwood residents for years.
The new funding will be combined with $1.2 million that has already been obtained over the years for the project, said Curtis Keller, general manager of the Berkeley County Public Service Sewer District.
“This will be added to that to help bring the project along,” he said.
A lot of preliminary work still needs to be done before construction of the project can begin, Keller said. As the county works toward completing plans for the new infrastructure, officials continue to look for more sources of funding to help the work get under way.
To read the full text of this story, click here.
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