Shelley Moore Capito

On November 4, 2014, Shelley Moore Capito was elected as the U.S. Senator from West Virginia. She became the first female U.S. Senator in West Virginia's history. Before her tenure in the Senate, Capito was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving West Virginia's 2nd congressional district. Her election to the Senate marked a significant milestone in her political career and in the history of West Virginia politics, as she succeeded in winning the seat in a predominantly Republican state. Her victory also contributed to the Republican Party gaining a majority in the Senate during the 2014 midterm elections.

On January 6, 2015, Shelley Moore Capito was officially sworn in as a United States Senator, representing the state of West Virginia. This event marked the beginning of her tenure in the Senate, following her victory in the 2014 elections. Her swearing-in was a historic moment for West Virginia, as she was the first woman to represent the state in the U.S. Senate. During her time as a Senator, Capito has focused on issues such as infrastructure, broadband access, and economic development, bringing her expertise from her time in the House of Representatives to the Senate.

Senator Shelley Moore Capito introduced the Rural Broadband Expansion Act on January 23, 2018. This legislation aimed to improve high-speed internet access in rural and underserved areas, particularly in states like West Virginia. The Act was part of her long-standing commitment to enhancing infrastructure and connectivity for rural communities. The initiative included provisions to allocate funding for building broadband infrastructure, thereby addressing the digital divide that affects remote areas. By promoting better internet access, the Act sought to foster economic growth and improve quality of life for residents in these regions.

Senator Shelley Moore Capito played a significant role in the passage of the COVID-19 relief package on December 21, 2020. The package aimed to provide economic assistance to individuals, businesses, and healthcare providers impacted by the pandemic. It included stimulus checks, unemployment benefits, small business loans, and funding for vaccine distribution. Capito supported the bill to ensure that West Virginians and Americans received the necessary assistance during the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. In addition to immediate relief measures, the bill also aimed at stimulating economic recovery.

On October 1, 2021, Senator Shelley Moore Capito was named the Ranking Member of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversight. This role positioned her as a leading voice in holding the EPA accountable, particularly in environmental and energy policies. Capito has been critical of certain environmental regulations that she believes are detrimental to economic growth and job creation, especially in West Virginia's coal and energy sectors. As ranking member, she has focused on ensuring that EPA regulations are balanced and consider the economic impacts on local communities.