U.S. House of Representatives Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Capito Says She Doesn’t Know New House Speaker, But Glad There Is One

Business had come to a halt in Congress, with funding for Ukraine and Israel on hold, as well as longer-term legislation to keep the government open past Nov. 17.

One of West Virginia’s U.S. senators expressed relief that the House of Representatives has a new leader.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., welcomed the news that House Republicans, after four attempts in three weeks, elected a speaker this week, Mike Johnson of Louisiana.

Business had come to a halt in Congress, with funding for Ukraine and Israel on hold, as well as longer-term legislation to keep the government open past Nov. 17.

Capito, who served several terms in the House before she was elected to the Senate, said she looked forward to working with Johnson.

“I personally do not know Speaker Johnson, but I will be getting to know him, I’m sure, in the future,” she said.

Johnson succeeds Kevin McCarthy of California, who was ousted from the position earlier this month.

Capito: ‘I’m A Little Pessimistic’ Government Shutdown Can Be Avoided

Republicans in the House of Representatives, where Capito once served, have failed to come to an agreement on how to fund the government.

West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito is usually an optimist.

But when it comes to the possibility of a government shutdown after Sept. 30, she’s not expecting a sudden turnaround.

“Maybe a rabbit will be pulled out of a hat next week, at the end of next week when this expires, but right now I’m a little pessimistic.” Capito said.

Republicans in the House of Representatives, where Capito once served, have failed to come to an agreement on how to fund the government.

Capito called a government shutdown destructive to the economy and a road to nowhere.

She noted that the Senate has passed the necessary spending bills in a bipartisan fashion.

Sec. Warner Testifies Before U.S. House Committee On Voter Confidence, Election Security

The Republican-majority Committee on House Administration plans to use testimony from the hearing to develop a bill known as the American Confidence in Elections Act that would strengthen states’ roles in establishing and administering election laws.

Secretary of State Mac Warner testified Thursday before members of the U.S. House of Representatives about voter confidence in elections, as well as election security measures.

It would provide states with tools to “boost election integrity and remove outdated federal policies that get in their way,” according to the committee’s website.

The bill would also prohibit non-citizen voting, allow REAL ID state drivers licenses or identification cards as proof of citizenship, and would create a federal forum that would help states discuss “best practices, paired with model state legislation for state legislatures to consider.”

Warner discussed West Virginia’s constant voter roll updates and technological ease of access as points of interest for the bill. He also mentioned that West Virginia has permanent state funding for voting infrastructure like equipment and maintenance.

“Collectively, these measures build public confidence, which has been reported independently by MIT who put West Virginia near the top of states in voter confidence,” he said in his testimony to the committee.

He also argued for reducing mail-in voting, revisiting the National Voter Registration Act that allows for streamlined voter registration for anyone who applies for a driver’s license and stricter enforcement of election laws.

“Technology has advanced considerably since 1993, and many local election officials, and our state’s Department of Motor Vehicles contend that the DMV should not be registering people to vote,” Warner said. “People can register online using a cell phone, computer, tablet, or other mobile device.”

Warner also echoed allegations from House Republicans like Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who claim that federal intelligence agencies misinformed the public about the Hunter Biden laptop controversy during the 2020 presidential campaign.

Warner cited the controversy as an example of an election being compromised, though numerous independent experts and courts say there was no significant fraud in the 2020 election, including the U.S. Justice Department and the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

Warner, alongside Rep. Alex Mooney, R-West Virginia, opposed the Biden administration’s Executive Order 14019, “Promoting Access to Voting,” last June, citing federal overreach. It would have involved federal agencies in state voter registration efforts.

Capito Goes On The Record To Pay Tribute To A Departing Colleague

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito delivered a speech Tuesday morning on the floor of the U.S. Senate honoring Rep. David McKinley and his service to West Virginia.

McKinkley lost a Republican primary to Rep. Alex Mooney in May after the 2020 Census reduced the state’s House seats from three to two.

Capito praised McKinley for his love for West Virginia, dedication to his constituents and pragmatism.

“His unique and thoughtful analysis of challenges has helped his constituents immensely, and it certainly made West Virginia a better place,” she said. “In fact, I don’t think there are many members of Congress who have held town hall meetings on the Megabus to D.C. as David has to meet with our constituents.”

A native of Wheeling, McKinley has served West Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2011.

He also served in the West Virginia House of Delegates for 14 years, from 1980 to 1994, during which time he also served as chair of the West Virginia Republican party from 1990 to 1994.

Capito also highlighted McKinley’s unique status as the only licensed engineer in the House of Representatives, which she attributed for his excellent analytical skills and legislative focuses.

“David’s played an essential role in advancing legislation critical to infrastructure, life altering hearing aid devices, and securing the pensions and retirement benefits that our West Virginia coal miners rely on,” she said. “David is, and always will be, a problem solver. And he brought thoughtful solutions to the needs of our fellow West Virginians every single day with unrelenting passion.”

Capito ended her six minute speech by expressing her, and West Virginia’s, gratitude for his service and leadership.

“The difference that you have made in our state that we both love, and the friendship and counsel that you have provided me over the years is much appreciated,” she said. “So when I see David, and we have a conversation, and he sends me on my way, he has a trademark saying that he always says to me, so I’m going to say it back to him today. David, I will say this to you, ‘Go get them, kid.’”

Morrisey Calls For Tougher Fentanyl Legislation, New Federal Classification

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is renewing a request that Congress classify fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction” as part of his battle for tougher legislation against the opioid epidemic.

Morrisey made the announcement during a Monday conference calling for more federal action.

“This is a story worth paying attention to. Focus on the families of the victims, because that’s the way we’re going to turn this around,” Morrisey said.

He invited families of those who have died from fentanyl poisoning to speak about their experiences to drive his point home.

Morrisey is not the first to make this call. A group of 18 Attorneys General joined together with the request, led by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. In June, Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, introduced a bill into the U.S. House of Representatives.

Morrisey also called for more oversight on the U.S. Department of State by the now-Republican majority House of Representatives and re-introducing Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” immigration policy requiring asylum-seekers to stay in Mexico while waiting for their U.S. immigration court date. He also made public previous correspondence from social media companies like Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta, Snapchat and TikTok about their policies to combat fentanyl and drug dealing on their platforms.

Morrisey has previously hinted that he would make a bid for higher office, eyeing a spot for the 2024 election cycle, though it is as of yet unclear what seat he will be running for. He previously ran for Joe Manchin’s Senate seat in 2018.

Mooney Announces 2024 Senate Run

Congressman Alex Mooney looks to take the seat from Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin.

Congressman Alex Mooney will run for the U.S. Senate in 2024.

Mooney, a Republican who last week easily won reelection to a fifth term in Congress, made the announcement Tuesday on MetroNews “Talkline.”

“I’m announcing it right now that I’m officially running for the U.S. Senate. I’m all in,” he said.

Mooney looks to take the seat from Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who has been in office since 2010.

“I’m not happy with the U.S. Senate results to be perfectly honest,” Mooney continued. “I think West Virginians need to take the Republican seats in two years for the sake of this country.”

Democrats maintained control of the U.S. Senate following last week’s election. Control of the House of Representatives is still to be determined, though Republicans inched closer Monday night.

Mooney criticized Manchin Tuesday during his announcement and called Manchin a “the chief enabler” of President Joe Biden’s policies, which Mooney said are a threat to West Virginia values. Mooney was previously backed by President Donald Trump.

Manchin has not yet announced if he’ll run in 2024.

“A robust democratic process has never been more important to our country, and Sen. Manchin encourages every candidate who values public service to enter the race,” Manchin’s Communications Director Sam Runyon said in a statement Tuesday following Mooney’s announcement.

Mooney’s bid for the Senate comes as he is the subject of two ongoing House Ethics Committee investigations alleging he used campaign money for personal expenses and accepted a trip to Aruba paid for by a campaign client and family friend.

Mooney has said his office is fully cooperating with the committee.