WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, released the below statement after she opposed a procedural motion to consider infrastructure legislation that has not yet been written. The motion to proceed failed on a vote of 51 to 49.
“I have and continue to be in favor of making investments to improve our nation's core infrastructure. That's why I have led efforts on a highway bill that passed through our committee unanimously and a water bill that passed the committee unanimously and went on to pass the Senate 89-2. Those pieces of legislation include significant bipartisan wins that will positively impact the people of West Virginia. The bipartisan infrastructure group has repeatedly stated that our committee reported bills are included, however their overall package is not finished yet. I have said time and time again that I cannot vote for something without knowing the policy behind it, the money it spends and how, and whether it is paid for. Without an actual bill, I am unable to determine if the bill is in the best interest of West Virginia or whether this proposal will add more to the national debt to be repaid by future generations. While I genuinely want to see a bipartisan infrastructure package come together, Senator Schumer has made it clear that today's theatrical vote has nothing to do with the policies needed to make these investments in a responsible way."
