Senator Capito is committed to making sure that West Virginians have the opportunity to receive high-quality education from pre-school through college. She understands that education is a key to success and a vital part of maintaining strong communities and attracting employers to West Virginia. As Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Senator Capito plays an important role in supporting education institutions of all levels across West Virginia and the entire country.
As West Virginia’s first female United States Senator, she started the West Virginia Girls Rise Up! program. The purpose of the initiative is to empower young women through education, physical fitness, and self-confidence. Since launching the program in 2015, Senator Capito traveled to schools all across the state where she meets with students to discuss these important pillars of success. During some of these visits, Senator Capito has also involved other female leaders including Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson, FOX News Anchor Shannon Bream, Huntington Fire Chief Jan Rader, Marshall Health’s Buffy Hammers, and former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.
Senator Capito has fought to secure federal funding through Child Care and Development Block Grants that benefit organizations that are important to rural communities—like Head Start—and has co-sponsored and voted for legislation to continue the Secure Rural Schools program that provides critical resources for public education in counties with large amounts of federally owned land. Senator Capito introduced the Building Blocks of STEM Act, which increases funding for early childhood education and seeks to enhance the learning and teaching of STEM by addressing the immediate challenges that are facing PreK-12 STEM education. The bill was signed into law by President Trump in 2019.
Senator Capito is also a staunch advocate for the TRIO programs which are designed to ensure underserved students have equal access to a college education and the support they need to prepare for, succeed in, and graduate. Additionally, she helped pass the FUTURE Act that increases funding for historically black colleges and universities in West Virginia.
Senator Capito also understands the importance of trade schools and non-traditional educational paths. As an original co-sponsor of the Creating Quality Technical Educators Act, Senator Capito remains dedicated to fostering a proactive approach to recruit and train top notch technical educators – better preparing students with the skills they need to enter the work force after school.
To help graduates pay for their higher education, Senator Capito introduced the Employer Participation in Repayment Act This legislation would lay the groundwork for employers to assist their employees’ in repaying their student loan debt. Senator Capito is always looking for innovative ways to help companies retain talented workers, while giving recent graduates needed relief and stability when entering the work force.
In November of 2021, Senator Capito helped launch the Senate’s first Women in STEM Caucus, a bipartisan group that works to advance women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and math education careers. Since joining the Senate, Senator Capito has strongly advocated for more female involvement in STEM fields through legislative efforts.