Senator Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., anticipates serving in new leadership roles as Republicans take majority control of the U.S. Senate.
“And so I think I have a strong voice in that I like to get things done. You know that, and I like to do things that not just help West Virginia — of course, that’s primary –but also help the country,” Capito said on MetroNews’ “Talkline.”
Capito has served as ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and she has held a leadership role within the Republican caucus. But Democrats had a functional 51-49 majority and held the levers of power in the chamber for the past four years.
The Senate now will have a Republican majority after wins by West Virginia’s Jim Justice, Bernie Moreno in Ohio, Tim Sheehy in Montana and Dave McCormick in Pennsylvania to flip seats that had been held by Democrats.
As the new Congress convenes early next year, Capito will have two gavels. She will be chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee plus chairman of the Labor Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee.
“I’m excited to become the chair. I think that in the Environment and Public Works Committee, first of all, we’ll be doing a highway bill this next year, which has major impacts to West Virginia on projects that I’ve worked on throughout my career — but to put a bigger spotlight on Corridor H and King Coal Highway and all the issues that we have in our transportation system,” Capito said on “Talkline.”
“The other thing is on the environment. We saw, under the last three and a half years, just an incredible loading on of regulations to the point where people are paralyzed. You can’t permit anything. Things get too expensive. It takes too long. And I think we can scrape a lot of that out of the bureaucracies and and actually move things forward.”
Leading the committee will give her greater influence over significant policy areas, Capito said.
“So I’m very excited about being in this leadership position because you can really lead the agenda, you can lead the conversation,” she said. “And lastly, I’ll say, with our energy resources here in West Virginia, the EPW in particular is very critical to continue the contribution that West Virginia has made in the energy resources, whether it’s coal or natural gas, now new hydrogen, modernized nuclear — all these things I’m going to be working on, and they’re all good for West Virginia.”
In terms of the Senate Republican caucus structure, Capito is likely to get the number 4 spot in Senate GOP leadership. She is currently running unopposed for the number 4 spot, which is chairman of the Republican Policy Committee. She is currently in the number 5 position as the vice chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.
This is taking shape as Mitch McConnell departs the top position, remaining in the Senate and representing Kentucky. A race for the Republican leadership position is unfolding with candidates including Rick Scott of Florida, John Thune of South Dakota and John Cornyn of Texas.
“I have served on the leadership team as an elected leader, and I’m I’m hoping that I ascend to this fourth slot. I think what it means is my voice will be much more powerful in terms of working with President Trump, obviously working with the House and the new Senate leadership. Whoever becomes the leader, I have opportunities to help my fellow members.”
Capito added, “And so I think I have a strong voice in that I like to get things done. You know that, and I like to do things that not just help West Virginia — of course, that’s primary –but also help the country.”