House Passes Aid for Homeless Veterans Capito Speaks Out in Support
Op-Ed
House Passes Aid for Homeless Veterans Capito Speaks Out in Support
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives about the Homes for Our Heroes Act, legislation to provide expanded support for homeless veterans. To watch her speech, click here.
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
On the heels of celebrating Independence Day, the House this week made important progress on legislation to improve care for homeless veterans. And of course, energy remained at the top of the agenda as I took to the floor of the House of Representatives to once again call for a comprehensive - all of the above - energy policy.
Caring for Homeless Veterans
As we all know, one homeless veteran is one too many, but on any given night there are currently more than 150,000 US veterans living on the streets. Thankfully, the Homes for Our Heroes Act which passed the House with my support this week will go a long way to help.
It will provide thousands of rental vouchers for veterans and their families, will authorize $200 million in funding and will establish a new liaison specifically for homeless veterans.
Our military men and women have served their country with honor and we must return the favor. To learn more about how you can support America's military families, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
Energy Update
As I continue to push for energy solutions, I took to the House floor this week to advocate for an all-encompassing energy policy that seeks out domestic energy, while also investing for the future. The price of gasoline is the top challenge facing so many West Virginians and that's something I don't take lightly.
We've got to get a handle on our energy challenges and seek a bipartisan solution. As I talk to West Virginians throughout our state, I continue to be impressed with ideas from our fellow citizens. From algae to cooking oil, and of course to coal, West Virginians continue to look for creative solutions for our energy crisis.
The days of foreign oil have got to end, and West Virginia can play a role in the solution. Please continue to visit my Energy Action Center where I will post new and updated information about ongoing efforts to battle the high price at the pump.
As always, please don't hesitate to contact my office if I can be of any assistance. It is an honor to serve you.
Sincerely,
Member of Congress
In Case You Missed It...
Capito says the time is now
West Virginia Metro News
June 10, 2008
West Virginia Second District Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito took to the floor of the U.S. House Thursday calling for Congress to get moving on a comprehensive energy plan.
Capito told fellow members she's heard from those who live in the Second District about fuel prices. "The most thing I heard was the question of frustration and why are we not doing anything,' Capito said. "Unfortunately this House has yet to act on any legislation that will actually make a difference."
Capito and fellow Republicans spent several hours Thursday calling on the Democratic-controlled Congress to work with them on a plan. "West Virginians are less concerned about the political battles that are encompassing Capitol Hill," Capito said. "We're more concerned about a bipartisan breakthrough that actually increases supply and makes our nation more self-reliant."
...Congresswoman Capito seemed to have urgency in her Thursday floor speech. "It's time for this Congress to get serious about protecting consumers and taking action on real solutions," the four-term congresswoman said.
Corridor H: With Each Mile Completed, Highway Paves The Way for Possibilities
The Intermountain
John Wickline
July 4, 2008
Clark Barnes recalls how lonesome and loathsome it used to be traveling U.S. 33 between his offices in Elkins and Buckhannon in the years prior to Corridor H being completed between the two towns.
"It took about 45 minutes, and it was rare to even meet another car until you got to a town," the Republican state senator from Randolph County remembered of the not-so-distant past. "Now you can drive across 33 any time of the day or night, and there is consistent and constant traffic."
That commute has now been sliced in half with the completion of the four-lane highway in the last decade, opening up all sorts of retail, industrial and employment opportunities for the residents of northcentral West Virginia that were just dreams a few years ago...
Since the completion of the four-lane highway, Randolph County has seen the expansion of its medical, retail and wood products industries.
"We've seen how good roads create jobs and promote economic development," said U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore-Capito, R-W.Va., whose district follows the long gray ribbon across the middle of the state.
"Efficient travel and safe highways are often the backbone of economic opportunity, particularly at a time when we're all looking at energy efficiency to save money on fuel."
A federal study conducted in June 1998 by the Appalachian Regional Commission revealed that more than 10,000 new jobs were created between 1975 and 1995 as the result of the improved transportation corridors in the state. That same study predicts nearly 30,000 more jobs will be created by 2015 if the roadways are completed....
"The total economic benefits associated with such a project are estimated to be at $31 billion," Capito said. "When adjusted, this means that the total economic benefit of completing the system is nearly 3.1 times the estimated cost. Such a ratio strikes me as a rather extensive return on our investment. With such obvious economic benefits to increased investment, the price tag is not necessarily as ominous as one might predict."
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